Not far isn’t sufficient. It is not reaching the goal nor finishing well. Yet it also means one is in the race or gaining momentum towards something worthy.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Sometimes faith is just trusting the process, even if we can’t feel it. Faith is beyond the knowledge, understanding, and wisdom of this world. Thus, it appears vague unless we’re into the word of God.
Many people challenge it with acquired wisdom and through experience, they may come to a certain conclusion that it is simply focusing on the inner self. Yet faith grows when the Spirit indwells in us.
Imagine you’re in a race that you put all your strength into, but not far from the finishing line. It’s sad; not a pleasant outcome at all.
In the contemporary world, people of many faiths and religions prosper, yet some do not know where they’re headed.
Here, we’re talking about not far from the kingdom of God.
The kingdom of Heaven:
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then, in his joy, went and sold all he had and bought that field.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. Matt.13:44-46
The parable of the hidden treasure illustrates that the Kingdom of Heaven is of immense value, so much so that anyone who finds it will joyfully give up everything they possess to obtain it.
The sacrificial work of Jesus Christ on the Cross has been sufficient to secure the kingdom of Heaven. It is to humble ourselves before God, repent of our sins, have faith, and believe. And proclaim Jesus is the Son of God, who is the only way, the truth, and the life.
Kingdom People:
Some people believe in Jesus Christ and are formed into a community, not just isolated individuals. The community helps each other, cares for the sick, prays, and helps the slightly spiritually weak believers.
The kingdom people are those who are in the gradual process of transformation and becoming like Jesus through daily life, homes, and communities, rather than just individual belief.
Kingdom people have a holistic application of the Christian gospel, incorporating social and political aspects to build a better way of life for others.
You are not far from the Kingdom:
Mark has recorded in Chapter 12 an interesting discourse on several topics between Jesus and the Sadducees. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, one of the teachers of the law asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”.
Jesus answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
“Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” Mark 12:32-34
Not far from the Kingdom:
Not far is not there. It is sad. My experience of lacking a mark or two in the important examinations was disappointing at times. I don’t want to be that person who is not far from the kingdom of Heaven. I want to be there.
The teachers of the law understood Jesus quite well. Our knowledge isn’t enough to be in the kingdom of God. I am afraid that those of us who were called to be the Kingdom people were not simply not far from the Kingdom.
The characteristics of the people who will inherit the Kingdom are clearly opposite of this world values. It is describe in the Beatitudes also known as the Sermon on the Mount. What the world saw as the impoverished in kind and soul would turn out to be the blessed and further the Kingdom people. Matt. 5:1-11
Look out for the Kingdom:
Believers have to remain vigilant, as the evil one is very much active, trying to sabotage our citizenship. Many good men have fallen prey to the evil one.
We are prone to being confident in the style of worship, running the administration of the community of believers. I’m afraid that we are simply busy but becoming spiritually weaker day by day.
In this fast-paced world, kingdom people are to be busy in God’s business. We are to look out for each other so as to not lose our community members on the way to the kingdom of God.
Transformation as the kingdom People:
When a person is transformed, he or she is captivated by Christ, experiencing his grace and being chosen as God’s instrument.
A person is filled with the Spirit, who controls and warns against the idea of self-sufficiency. It leads to the immediate proclamation of Christ growing in spiritual power. Acts 9:17
Perfection is not of the mortal here on earth, but the willingness to suffer and surrender to God is divine.
There is a similar need for transformation in the modern church and beyond. The world needs our prayer; the future generation needs our prayer. We may not be able to guide them, but helping them to become Kingdom People will make a difference.
