Good Morning Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
I’m sure you scratched your head when you saw the subject line of this email. Are you violent? You’re likely asking yourself why would Larry write such a thing to Believers? We’re not supposed to be violent. You’re right. We’re not to be physically violent except in defense of ourselves. But we are to be SPIRITUALLY VIOLENT.
Matthew 11:12
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
Jesus spoke the above Word. He was telling the people the way of approaching God through the Old Testament laws and sacrifices is gone away. The way to God now was through John the Baptist’s preaching of turning away from sin and putting faith in the coming Messiah.
The words “suffereth violence” in the verse is from the Greek word “Biazo” which means “to force, to crowd oneself into, to press into.”
During the time Jesus was speaking, the Old Testament laws and sacrifices has become cold and ritualistic in the minds of the people. It was done more as habit and compliance. The people put very little thought, praise, worship, and meditating of the Word into the laws and sacrifices. The people were distant from God, not God distant from them.
This new message from John the Baptist, who was filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb, was radical, new, fresh, and filled with hope (Biblical definition of “hope” is “certainty,” not “maybe”). People could feel the power in the words, they could feel their souls being stirred by the Holy Spirit, and they responded with great fervor.
The verse says, “the violent take it by force.” Who are the “violent?” Those seeking the Messiah. I think Andrew Wommack says it best, “They were truly “pressing in” to the Kingdom of Heaven, overcoming any obstacle or opposition posed by laws, traditions, unbelief, or any power Satan threw at them, to receive the message that John preached. They were “violently resolved” in their zeal and forcefully pressing into the kingdom of heaven.”
The “force” being used by the “violent,” or the Believers, was “faith.” The Believers desired to hear more, to know more of the Messiah and the Kingdom of Heaven. They couldn’t get enough and were consumed with their passion for this new Messiah and this new approach to the Almighty Father.
Are you violent? Is Jesus Christ your passion? Do you spend time, every day, with Him in prayer and in His Word? If not, what’s your excuse? Jesus certainly didn’t make excuses when He went through the mocking, the beating, the scourging, the crucifixion, the time in hell, and separation from His Father – FOR YOU AND ME.
Jesus Christ, The Word of God, is begging every Believer to invest time in Him. You take plenty of time to study how you’re going to invest your money, or what brand of an item to buy, or for a certification you need or want for your career, or to read the latest reality show or tabloid garbage, or to read Facebook about everyone else and respond to needless, mindless wisdom of the world, or to watch your TV programs, or to sleep an extra 30 minutes or hour. But you can’t find 30 minutes to an hour a day for Jesus.
If you want a life of excellence, of abundance, of great health, of great relationships, of continuous favor and good understanding with all men, of love, joy, and peace, get your spiritual life right. As Paul said, discipline yourself like an elite athlete or a solider and get it done. I can guarantee you this. If you will take the challenge to invest in Christ and learn about Him, the Word, your life will greatly change. You will see and have hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).
Have a wonderful day in Christ. Walk like the son or daughter of the Most High God, royalty, and decree your Father’s Word over your family and your life. Believe, decree, and receive. Only you can stop The Blessing of God from reaching you. God never stops blessing you. If you’re not believing, decreeing, and receiving, the blessings are just piling up in your account. God must keep His covenant and increase you more and more, your children and you (Psalm 115:14). It’s not His fault you won’t believe, decree, and receive it.
In Christ,
Larry