THE RACE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD (1)

<<< HOW SOME ARE PLUCKED AWAY

TEXT: Matthew 13:18-22

Life in the kingdom of God is like a race. There are people who would start well only to slow down ultimately. What slows down a man’s speed in the kingdom race? There are others who started either slowly or lately but race through life with amazing speed and passion, overtaking those who seemed to have started earlier, ultimately finishing well. What makes for overtaking in the kingdom?

I want to explain that overtaking and replacement are on-going processes in God’s kingdom. There are many people whose places have been given to other persons for one reason or the other. And sometimes, the person’s whose place was given out would still be alive; but this is merely existing and not living. It was this way that king Saul was still a (figure-head) king but God had already provided for Himself a king called David (1 Samuel 16:1).

Today, we commence a series on SPIRIT’S SWORD DEVOTIONAL on the topic: THE RACE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD. What is responsible for those who previously started well in God growing and going cold?

1. The atmosphere of this generation is anti-gospel

Jesus prophesied: “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matthew 24:12). Apostle Paul prophesied: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come” (2 Timothy 3:1).

The days are evil; the atmosphere is anti-gospel – TV, magazines, internet, society, almost everything! The devil has representatives in several of these facilities, and many who were not properly ground in God get uprooted by the devil and his demonic masterminds (Galatians 1:6).

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

When you pray, you watch! What does it mean to watch? It implies being sensitive and alert in the Spirit to the devices of the devil. Prayer sometimes does not take temptation away but creates watchfulness in your spirit and you flee.

It is carelessness to be in a room where fornication smells in the air and to remain there. There are times you don’t bind the spirit of lust; you flee! You don’t have a point to prove to satan that you are strong enough to remain there and not fall. Prove to God that you honour His word which says: “Flee also youthful lusts”. Joseph didn’t rebuke Mrs. Portiphar; he fled for his destiny and eternity!

When you are careless with the way you relate with the opposite sex for example, you unknowingly develop a strange appetite for sin but carelessness makes it convenient for you. And “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1:15).

Many have been plucked away on these paths. Some have become so comfortable in lukewarmness and backsliding. They started well, but their testimonies have been punctured.

Pray with me; “Lord, help me and keep me rooted in your word and in holiness. Nothing shall pluck me from your will in Jesus’ name.”