0252. POSSESSION BY FORCE.

POSSESSION BY FORCE.

"And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of Heaven is gotten by force, and the violent take it by force" (Mat_11:12).

Introduction. At first sight this verse seems somewhat hard to understand. Weymouth renders it, "But from the time of John the Baptist till now, the Kingdom of the Heavens has been suffering violent assault, and the violent have been seizing it by force." If this verse means anything, it means possession by force. But is that correct? "I thought the trustful soul secured by faith the Kingdom?" That is true, but what is faith?

"Faith is a living power from Heaven Which grasps the promise God has given."

This text really eulogises intense earnestness. It is quite true that earnestness without faith cannot secure the Kingdom, yet it is equally true to say that faith and violence are inseparably connected. Indeed, faith is a force to be reckoned with.

I. John’s Hearers Became Violent, or intensely earnest. It is quite evident that our Lord by these words is describing the intense earnestness of the hearers of John the Baptist. Aroused by the trumpet-call to repentance, vast multitudes eagerly received John’s teaching, and pressed forward to enjoy the benefits. This statement is really our Lord’s commendation of the success of John’s preaching. No preaching is of real practical value unless it leads the hearers to press forward and take the Kingdom by force.

II. Easy Going Age. This is an easy going age. "Short and easy methods" are the rule of to-day. This modern craze has invaded the religious realm.

Samuel Rutherford has a remark applicable to-day: "Many are blinded in rejoicing in a good cheap conversion that never cost them a sick night." What he objected to was the desire of many for a salvation without a sigh or tear, without a sleepless night. True, "Weeping will not save me," but it proves you are repentant, and a fit subject to be saved. Oh, if we see ourselves as God does, it will rend our hearts. Are we right in denouncing old methods of leading sinners to Christ. Remember, easy got, easy go.

III. A Rewarder of them that Diligently seek Him (Heb_11:6). But we would like us first to see that our text conveys a timely message to Christian believers. This is a text one wishes could be ever before us. Are we ever desperate in our prayers, crying with Jacob, "I will not let Thee go until Thou bless me?"

1. Some of us Desire the Fulness of the Spirit. You have asked God for His fulness, and you have not received it. Why? Because not half in earnest about it.

2. Some of us Lament over our Corruption, and long for more holiness. How much time do you spend on your knees asking for heart purity? Is William Law’s statement true in your case? "What made the primitive Christians such eminent instances of piety? If you will here stop, and ask yourselves why you are not as pious as the primitive Christians were, your own heart will tell you, that it is neither through ignorance, nor inability, but purely because you never thoroughly intended it."

3. Some say: "Why, my relatives, my husband, wife, children, scholars are not converted I cannot understand, for I ask God frequently." Have you ever spent one solid hour with God on this matter?

4. These Mercies God will not give to us on the Grounds only of our Earnestness. But the earnestness proves that we feel our lack of these coveted mercies, and that we shall value them aright when given.

5. If our text conveys a timely message to the Christian it certainly speaks loudly to the non-Christian.

Autor: James Smith