April 08, 2024
My uncle D.C. was a burly construction man. When I was a boy, he frightened me a bit with his rough ways, but he loved me greatly. He invested a lot in my brother and me.
One day he said, “Billy, get in the truck.” I had no idea where we were going, but I hopped in. We arrived in a few minutes at the toy store where he promptly said with no explanation, “Get whatever you want.” I couldn’t believe it! “Whatever?” I thought it must be some kind of test. Out of fear, I passed by the train sets and really cool stuff and chose a 50-cent water pistol!
I’ve regretted for years that I had the whole toy kingdom at my fingertips, and a silly fear made me miss it! Uncle D.C. must have laughed all the way back to the farm.
COMING NEAR
Jesus sent 70 disciples in teams of two to tell people the good news that the kingdom of God had now come and they could experience it. They could step into it for all eternity. But Jesus knew many would reject God’s kingdom, vainly clinging to their own.
“Whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat what is set before you and heal those in it who are sick, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ “But whatever city you enter and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your city which clings to our feet we wipe off in protest against you; yet be sure of this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ (Luke 10:8-11)
In eternity, there will be millions in hell who the kingdom of God “came near.” Perhaps they were unwilling to lay down this world’s enticements, thinking they were better riches than heaven. Maybe they were preoccupied with other pursuits. Or they thought Christianity was useless, a fairy tale, only for the weak. Or they thought they had plenty of time to respond later. For whatever reason, there could be no more tragic mistake. To have God and everything He has planned for you gone forever is the ultimate loss.
NEAR TO YOU
Has the kingdom of God come near you? You’ve heard of Christ, seen someone in whom Christ dwelled, passed by a church on the corner, or have a Bible that a grandmother gave you years ago. Perhaps you even sit in a church every Sunday, but you have never surrendered to Christ and entered His kingdom. You never acknowledged your need and turned to Christ in faith to save you. You merely let the kingdom merely “come near.”
You will not be able to blame Christ in eternity. He longed to save you. Jesus said, “Do not be afraid, little children. Your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).
He has come near you. Even what you’re reading right now is His invitation to you in black and white. Don’t resist Him, for God created you to live in His eternal kingdom. If the opportunity has not already passed, it will soon end.
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