THE RACE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD (2)

<<< HOW SOME ARE PLUCKED AWAY (B)

TEXT: 2 Chronicles 7:14; Jeremiah 7:3-5

Thank you for desirously following SPIRIT’S SWORD DAILY ONLINE DEVOTIONAL. We trust God’s word to continually be mixed with faith in you as you study and give yourself wholly to doing His word and His will for your life.

We began yesterday by considering the nature of the kingdom race. God intends all who begins the race to end well. In His love and grace He works out victory for His beloved. However, many take God’s grace and love for granted. Some are swept off by the deceitfulness of riches, fame and power while yet others have sailed off aboard the ship of worldliness. This is further compounded by the false grace doctrine which promotes “once saved; forever saved” ideology to which many hang on and live on in sin.

Yesterday, we examined two (2) reasons why some are plucked away from the race;

1. The atmosphere of this generation is anti-gospel

2. A life of carelessness and no watchfulness (Matthew 26:41; Mark 13:33; 14:38; 2 Timothy 2:22)

We continue from there today;

3. Distractions

Many started well, but got distracted along the way. Their pursuits in the beginning were correct, but along the way some distractions in the form of “bigger opportunities, higher career profiles, greener pastures, etc” popped up and the rest is history. Some it is relationship that has distracted them from God and the pursuit of Heaven. These things sometimes are called “blessings”, but any blessing that brings sorrow is not of God but a calculated mastermind from hell to drag its victims there.

Let us look at Brother Gehazi. Gehazi started well. He was running on assignment:

“Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee?” (2 Kings 4:26).

But along the way, he was distracted. However, he was still running:

“But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.

 So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well?” (2 Kings 5:20-21).

Anyone who saw Gehazi at that moment would be “thanking God” for his life, thinking he was (still) running on assignment. But though he looked to be running, his pursuit had change…it was no more for God, but after the world.

Today, distractions have dislodged many fervent and firebrand believers from the pursuit of God, His word, and His will. They may appear to still have “a form of godliness”, but even they, God and the devil know that they are no longer on the way to Heaven; some things have won their hearts.

Friend, what has brought lukewarmness to your once fire-full and passionate life and love for God, holiness and Heaven? How come those things that used to matter to you before now do not matter again? How come the things that used to be sin are now no longer wrong? What is plucking you away from the race to Heaven? Brother, Sister, Friend, it is time to return…time is almost over!!!

“I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them…” (Jeremiah 35:15a)