And from the
days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has
endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious
prize—a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense
exertion].
(Matthew 11:12 Amplified Bible)
(Matthew 11:12 Amplified Bible)
The word “violent” conjures up negative
images, and rightfully so. Violence is
all around us. We hear and read about
physical abuse, sexual assault, and murder occurring every day in our streets,
neighborhoods and the world at large.
But, that kind of violence is bred from hatred.
What about violence motivated by
love? What might that look like? The above verse compares “violent men seizing
the kingdom heaven” to a “precious prize….sought with most ardent zeal and
intense exertion.” Is Jesus calling us
to be violent in our pursuit of Him and His Kingdom, and if yes, what would
that look like? Well, it might look
something like this….
Violent pursuit (with most ardent zeal and intense exertion) – A pursuit
that says “Lord, I will abandon all to pursue you regardless of the cost. I will act swiftly to your beckoning and
follow you with great intensity and faithfulness.”
Violent love (with most ardent zeal and intense exertion) – A love that
says “I will swiftly and intensely demonstrate sacrificial love to others, even
at the expense of my own needs and wants.”
Violent forgiveness (with most ardent zeal and intense exertion) – A
lifestyle of forgiveness that says “I will choose to swiftly forgive others,
regardless of the wrong, and I will do so lavishly.” (See the 70x7 rule in
Matthew 18:21-23.)
Violent repentance (with most ardent zeal and intense exertion) – A
lifestyle of repentance that says “With great intensity and swift action, I
will regularly examine my heart and actions and turn from anything that is not
pleasing to God.”
When it comes to pursuing God and the
Kingdom of Heaven, let’s do so with violence – a most ardent zeal and intense
exertion!
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