Take It by Force (#22 of 365+)

These were Jesus’ own words: “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it” (Matthew 11:12)


When I close my eyes to picture “forcefully advancing” I see army troops pushing back the enemy and liberating prisoners. Like the Allies in Europe between D-Day and V-E Day.

Photo: Child prisoners of the concentration camp after the liberation of Auschwitz in January 1945.

I know we tend to be a forgetful people, so I hope the story of victory and liberation at the end of World War II continues to be celebrated and appreciated by future generations. However, today I want to focus on a modern-day atrocity that is taking place on our watch, and another opportunity for victory and liberation. I’ve been reading a book called Revolution in World Missions by K. P. Yohannan, founder of Gospel for Asia. On the GFA website, it says “2.7 billion people of our generation are still unreached with the Gospel”. To better understand this number, K. P. says to take your pulse and remember every heartbeat represents another human soul that has slipped into eternity without knowing Jesus Christ… When native missionaries share the gospel with the lost, they are effective and experience huge spiritual victories. However, the countries in the 10/40 Window are some of the most socioeconomically challenged in the world. Only $1/day will support one GFA native missionary or sponsor a Bridge of Hope child, and 100% of the money donated to GFA missions work goes directly to the field. Even with the current financial support from Christian believers in more prosperous countries, the numbers of those who still have not heard the name Jesus Christ is indicative of the need to help our Asian brothers and sisters even more.

Photo: Jolen is a bright young man who is eager to learn as much as he can. But Jolen lives in a low-caste, poverty-stricken slum area in Uttar Pradesh, India. GFA’s Bridge of Hope program makes it possible for him to receive a decent education and learn Jesus Christ loves him.

The definition of “advance” is “move something forward, often quickly”. Some of the antonyms or opposites of advance are: "back down, halt, hesitate, recede, retreat, retrogress, stop, turn, withdraw, yield". How have we believers allowed ourselves to be lulled into a sense of comfort while so many people die without knowing Christ? Even if we aren’t called to go to a foreign land we are still a part of the Body of Christ and should support the message of the gospel both here and abroad.

Joni said, “Scriptural promises are yours, but often you must push through spiritual opposition. Today, purpose to persevere, strive, press on, fight, believe, and lay hold of your place in the kingdom. Remember, the reign of Christ advances by force. And you are on the front lines.”

Lord, thank you that I live in a free and prosperous country. Give me the determination to advance your kingdom and fight for lost souls with the resources you’ve made available to me. Amen.