NOT FAR FROM THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Mark 12:34, “Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him,
“You are not far from the kingdom of God.”
The knowledge of God is very important; it makes us close to the kingdom of God.
But being close to the kingdom of God is not enough, and having the knowledge of
God is not enough to make us qualify for the kingdom of God. Not far from the
kingdom of God is “almost” but not yet, not far but not in.
You can be so close to somewhere and never enter there; you may not be far from
a house and never enter in. There is difference between too close and being able to
enter. The same is applicable to the kingdom of God. Your knowledge of God and
your service unto God are wonderful; they make you close to the kingdom of God.
You are now committed to things of God, you read your Bible and pray, you are
devoted in your church and working for God, you pay your tithes and go through
Bible class; now you know a lot about the things of God, you know your Bible
more better and you pray more and preach better. But without practicing what
you know, without holiness of life and righteousness of living, being clearly obvious
in your life, you cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Not Far, But Not In
Many Christians of this day are not far from the kingdom of God that is how
Jesus would describe many today. When God showed revelation to people that
out of a million of Christians, who are serving God, about very few thousands
will make the rapture if it happens now. And what about the rest of the devoted
Christians? They are not far from the kingdom! Not far from the kingdom of
God is not enough, because it is not how far, but how sure. You may be so
committed to the things of God, suffer and sacrifice for the work of God, but you
may not be reckoned in the kingdom of God, if your name is not written in the
Book of life in heaven.
Whatever you do for Christ or in the name of Christ without your name written
in the Book of Life is a waste and totally baseless. The first thing you need to get
settled and secured is your name to be written in the Book of Life and to still
remain till minutes, without that, all others are immaterial to your life. You can be
so busy in your church, so committed to God’s work; you can be performing
miracles, teaching, winning souls, doing deliverance, leading, pastoring and praying
day and night, if your name is not in the Book of Life till date, all your efforts are
total useless.
You may be a well-known Christian in your family, among your friends and on
the Facebook; you can be a renown Christian minister of this generation, but if
your name is not presently written in the Book of Life, you are not recognized in
heaven and no place for you there.
Jesus Christ described that man in Mark 12:34 as not far from the kingdom of
God, but not yet in at the same time. Your knowledge of the Bible without genuine
salvation makes you not far from the kingdom of God, but fall short from entering
in. until you have genuine salvation, you will be found wanting to enter the
kingdom of God. Until you totally repent from all sins and forsake them at the
same time by starting a new life, you are fall short of the kingdom of God.
If you have ever experienced genuine salvation, but you are not walking in total
holiness and righteousness of life, you are also fall short of entering into the
kingdom of God. When you are saved, your salvation gives you the grace to see
the kingdom of God, that is to be so close by reaching the gate, but you need to
walk out your salvation in holiness and righteousness by walking with God, it is
then you can enter into the kingdom of God.
John 3:3, “Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless
one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:5, “Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of
water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
There is difference between seeing the kingdom of God and eventually entering
there. Without being born of water and Spirit, which is sanctification of life, you
cannot enter there. Daily watchfulness in prayer and Bible reading, applying the
Word of God into our lives to be fruitful therein are the means to live a sanctified
life. Without holiness and righteousness no one can enter into the kingdom of God.
Now, what is the essence of not far from somewhere but never enter there?
What is the use of being close to a desired building compound but never gained
entrance? What is the benefit of going so far because of something, and at the end
fall short of it?
Dear beloved, what is the essence of your being a Christian and at the end you
are not qualified to enter heaven? Or rather, what is the use of claiming to be a
Christian, being devoted in your church, working for God, paying tithes and
offerings, praying and preaching of Christ, and at the end you are not permitted to
enter the kingdom of God? What is the use of your Christianity without your
name written in the Book of Life? What is the use of your Christian confession
and profession without holiness of life?
Have you ever asked yourself this question of why will you do all these for Christ
and never make the rapture? Why will you go so far for your Christian faith and
at the end go to hell? How tragic will that be? With all you’re working for
God? How terrible will it be with all the knowledge of God and grace and mercy
of God you have, and you carry everything to hell, to end up with unbelievers,
demons and devil?
I think what worth doing, worth doing well. Why will you not do ALL it will
take to make heaven? Why will you not surrender ALL your life to Jesus now
and get your heaven settled? Why will you allow that particular sin in your life
or that covered sin and unsettled restitution to eventually disqualify you from
entering heaven after you have gone so far? Why will you allow the secret sin,
common sin, “it doesn’t matter” sin, “my pastor does not oppose it” sin, “we are
doing it in our church” sin to block your ears from hearing the sound of the
trumpet of the rapture?
Beloved, why will you not settle all at once now and surrender all to get your
name secured in the Book of Life, so that whenever rapture or death comes, you
will not have cause to cry?
R E P E N T!
Repentance is a matter of urgency now, for all of us. Let’s put aside pretense,
realize yourself, and realize your sins, no cover up. Then renounce and forsake
them at once, no procrastination! Confess your sins and shortcomings to God, no
excuse; because those excuses will not help on the last day. Ask Jesus to forgive
you as you also forsake them. Be determined to start a new of total dedication of
holiness and righteousness in Jesus from today, and never turn back or fall back,
come what may.
If you would like to totally surrender all to Jesus and experience genuine
salvation or you want to rededicate your life to Jesus Christ, please click on this
link, read and then pray as directed https://www.facebook.com/notes/
revelation-of-truth-evangelical-ministries-rtem/how-to-be-saved-and-
start-a-new-life-in-jesus/270674586372252

Its been a while now since i heard this kind of massage in church.
Op the lord will bless u & u will not mis heaven in jesus name . . .