The Kingdom of God - Part 2

Dearest Saints, As a continuation of what I started a couple of topics ago, I continue to think alot about the Kingdom of God and all the parables Jesus talks about that is likened unto the Kingdom of God. I do encourage any feedback you may have because I don't confess to have all the answers, but I like to share what I believe God is telling me. I am eager to share this because He talks so much about what the Kingdom of God is about. And knowing that when He talks so much about any subject (including this particular one), it is something we need to pay close attention to and not take lightly. When we read in Matthew 13, some of the parables He likens the Kingdom of God include: a. Seed that fell on different kinds of soils (vs 4-8) which He further explains in vs 19-23; b. Parable of the wheat and darnel (vs 24-30), which is further explained to the Disciples in (vs 36-41); c. Parable of the Mustard seed (vs 31-32); d. Parable of the leaven dough (vs 33); e. Treasure buried in a field (vs 44); f. Search for precious pearl (vs 45,46); and g. Parable of the dragnet (vs 47-52). There are also some found in Chap 25 that talks about the 5 foolish virgins and 5 wise virgins (Matt 25:1-12), using talents (vs 14-30) and the parable concerning being invited to His banquet (Matt 22:2-13). I find when I study certain scriptures long enough, I get excited about knowing how He is so faithful to reveal insights when we will take time to seek. He proves His Word to tell us that when we seek, we are able to find what we are searching for (Matt 7:7). In a nutshell, when Christ talks about the Kingdom of God from all the parables, I believe He talks about a great separation from those who are committed to following Him and those who choose not to. God is quite clear telling about the results of the rewards of being Children of God and the destructive results of those who forsake Him and choose not to follow Him. The first parable about the seed falling on different soils are well explained, so I won't go into detail. But I like to explain further about the wheat and tares. For those who are in the farming business, you know all about this. The wheat is a useful grain that stands in a field straight up (compared to those who look up to God who set their eyes and heart upon Him). The wheat is compared to His Children. On the other hand, the darnel (children of the evil one) are the ones whose heads are bent over and looking down (which is another form of those whose love, cares and affections are on this world) who doesn't bother to look up to God when they should. The wheat are His Children who look up to God and are useful for the Kingdom which is the grain that feeds and nourishes peoples physical needs. The darnel is a weed that is anything but useful. This is compared to those who are useful for Gods use (grains of wheat) and those who are of no use to God when we choose not to follow Him. God cannot use anyone who is not willing to allow Him to be Lord of their lives. How can anyone be useful for His purposes when we don't allow Him to be Lord of our lives or submit our heart before Him in the first place? God even warns His own people who look back by setting their cares and affections on this world are not fit for His Kingdom (Luke 9:62). He needs our whole heart. An interesting point is when Christ talks in a parable about the Servants who were eager to pull up the darnel right away to burn them. Christ tells them not to pull them up because we may also pull up the wheat at the same time (vs 28-30). In other words, we need to learn to live together, but remain distinctly different from those who God sees as darnels (children of the wicked one) (vs 38). By pulling up the darnel, God was concerned about the well being of His own children who may have also been pulled up when He doesn't want that to happen. This also tells me that God uses the ungodly to keep us sharpened and prove our faith in Him when we deal with those who are considered wicked. How can we prove our love and faithfulness to Him when we want to always live the life of ease and be of no use to reach the lost? This tells me also that there is a danger when we only want to live in our little "Christian Groups", being totally separate from the world when we should influence them instead. Christ Himself says to the Pharisees when they scorned Him by associating Himself with sinners all because they kept themselves separate from sinners. He tells the Pharisees that it was important for Him to associate with sinners because they are the ones who He compares to them who are sick are the ones who need a Doctor, not those who are well (talking in a spiritual means) Matt 9:10-13. The Pharisees only hung within their own kind which meant they were of little use of having any positive influence on outsiders at all, which we are admonished to do. We need to be useful from what we learn about Christianity to bring this out of the Church walls and not just benefit our own selves. How can we influence those who are outside who need to be drawn into the Kingdom of God when we are only going to hang around those in our little Christian Groups? God is looking for those who will labour for the cause of souls and be useful, just like the wheat is most useful that benefits all (Matt 9:37). Christ tells us that the separation comes when He sends the angels to gather (vs 41) that will separate the darnel (children of the evil one) from the wheat (children of God). This also tells us that it is up to Him to send the angels to gather and separate, not for us to try and do (like the Servants wanted to do) simply because we would have made a mess and destroyed some of the wheat in the meantime. One of the things that separates the chaff from the darnel and the grains of wheat is that when the wind comes, the chaff that is useless is blown away and the grains that are useful are able to withstand the wind and falls into the grainery for further use. Notice that calmness doesn't separate the two as does when the winds blow. When storms come, this is often when you will notice the difference between those who are not of God and those who remain strong in Him. Too many people don't take His Word literally and think that He will save everyone just because He is a God of love. Our Bible does not say that. God is not only love above ALL else, but He is also a God who is Just and tells us plainly the Truth because He is love. It's because of His love for us that He often warns us with His Truth. So when He says there is going to be a distinct separation of those who are going to be thrown into the fire and those who are in right standing shine forth like the sun (vs 42,43), He means this. It may not be the nicest message, but it is the Truth because this is what He says. I love each of you enough that I am willing to receive any opposition about this just because it is based on Truth because it is in His Word. So when Christ talks about His Kingdom and for us to be fit for His Kingdom, lets invite Him to be Lord of our lives and allow Him to have ALL of Our HEART and not just part of us. Be encouraged to ask Him to make us as wheat by totally looking up to Him and setting our affections on Him and the things concerning His Kingdom. Just like wheat is the one that is nourishing in a physical sense, we whom are truly His Children will be able to equally nourish others (admonishing, teaching, being an encourager) that benefits others by being useful for Him, His use and to advance His Kingdom. To be most useful is to humble ourselves before Him, choosing to believe Him regardless of what we think and by allowing Him to rule our heart. I would like to continue further about the other parables and be fit for the Kingdom of God. I encourage anyone to share your comments anytime. May this be a rich blessing to all. In the Matchless Name of Jesus Richard Ministry Encourager Answers2Prayer http://sites.google.com/site/greatestbuilderforourlife http://www.answers2prayer.org/