Unfit for the Kingdom

But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62

Are you and I unfit for the Kingdom of God?

It is a reminder of Lot's wife (Genesis 19:26).

It is also a reminder that God is both kind and severe.  Romans 11:22 states, “Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off.”

Reading the passage of Scripture above, I am forced to examine my own life and recognize that rather than aligning my life to God's Word, more days than not, I align to the "American Christian Culture" around me.  Sadly, that is NOT what God desires or requires of me or of you.  A little prayer and dunking in the baptismal waters to "seal the deal" is not what being a follower of Jesus is all about.  

God requires that I give Him everything—absolutely everything.  He requires that you give Him everything.  We can hold nothing back from Him.  He requires complete devotion in every area of our lives.  

It is costly.  Make no mistake about that.

It is a rarity in today's culture, and it definitely garners resistance and opposition, especially among "so-called" Christians, the ones with no missional sacrifice who are in church on Sundays and do nice things for others as long as it doesn't impose upon their own pleasures and monetary trappings.

I have been one of those.

Have you?  Are you?  One of those, I mean.

I have been one of those, but by God's grace and through His Spirit's power, no more.  Scripture has strong words for those of us who claim to be Christians but look just like everyone else.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 states, "Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God."

I ask the question again.  Are you unfit for the Kingdom of God?  

There is nothing. Nothing.  That can satisfy the human soul apart from complete surrender and devotion to Jesus Christ alone. Nothing.

May we each one build each other up and encourage one another to give Him everything today.

Goodnight, Runners.