Living By Faith

We enjoyed a blessed Bible study last night in the book of Matthew at Calvary Chapel Sydney.  In the midst of the study we came upon words of Jesus that are among His more obscure statements, yet they are instructive and reveal how God's ways are higher than the ways of man.  After responding to disciples of John the Baptist who had been imprisoned, Jesus revealed him to be the greatest prophet ever--yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.  Jesus would usher in a new covenant in His own blood to redeem people from the curse of sin and impute righteousness by faith in Him never revealed to prophets of old.

Jesus said in Matthew 11:12-13, "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. ¹³ For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John."  The point was well-made in the study that violence is not always bad in itself, for strength, eagerness and vehemence can be directed in doing good.  Yet there is no question violence can be destructive, as violent waves have power to break ships apart and sink them.  The prophets, including John the Baptist, were subjected to violence by evil men who falsely accused them, threw them into prison and killed them.  The kingdom of heaven endured the violence of satanic opposition, yet he was unable to prevent God establishing His kingdom in the hearts of redeemed people by the Gospel.

I read the phrase "The violent take it by force" as a general statement in regards to how the violent take kingdoms (or whatever they want) by force.  Kings are overthrown by armies or murdered by assassins so a new regime can rise.  God's kingdom, unlike kingdoms of this world, cannot be overthrown or taken.  God does not stoop to the violent tactics of wicked men who live by the motto, "Might makes right."  Instead, God chose to draw people to His everlasting kingdom with goodness and gentleness.  All the prophets and the law prophesied until John concerning God's truth, and John the Baptist was called by God to herald the coming of the long-awaited Messiah.  Rather than employing violent force, Jesus revealed God's kingdom is established on the basis of God's love for lost sinners.  Imprisoning John and murdering Jesus did nothing to overthrow God's kingdom or bolster the powers of darkness, for there is no force able to overcome the almighty God.

Jeremiah 31:3 says, "The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you."  God will not force anyone to come to Him or become citizens of His kingdom, yet God has demonstrated His love powerfully by Jesus laying down His life for sinners.  How forceful our love should be in light of God's love for us!  Our passion for the truth of the Gospel ought to be declared by our deeds as well as words.  The NLT renders verse 12, "And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it."  The advance of God's kingdom is unstoppable because God drives it forward, and God's people are His chosen instruments to speak the truth in love, to pray for our enemies and preach the Gospel.  Throughout history God's people have faced violent opposition, yet by faith in Jesus He makes us to stand and endure unscathed--refined as gold.  As citizens of God's kingdom, rather than taking by force we live by faith in Jesus.