Jesus Christ stated that some people simply aren’t fit for the Kingdom. What? Yes, that’s correct! Until they change their way of thinking, they are not fit for the kingdom. This has proven to be a huge problem in today’s world. Many have come into the church without changing their way of thinking. They have come into the church and have expected, no demanded, that the church change its way of thinking to fit their interests and desires. They have memorized the Bible stories, some favorite verses of Scripture, learned many of their praise songs, and have learned well how to play church but have not changed their way of thinking. They have entered the church and have set their hands to the plough to do the Lord’s work in the kingdom, but they are not fit for the kingdom. Why? Let’s listen to the words of Jesus. “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). So, looking back is the problem. That is, looking at their own interests, their own agenda, and their own expectations based on the humanistic knowledge of their previous life.

In the first illustration our Lord gives, He indicates that the man was not prepared for the new life. Although the man said he was prepared to follow Christ wherever He went, Christ had perceived that his old life of comfort, familiarity, and his years of assimilated knowledge would be too difficult for him to leave (See verse 57, 58). He would not be prepared for the tremendous changes in his lifestyle that would lie ahead. He would not be prepared to jettison all of his accumulated knowledge in exchange for the vast amount of true wisdom in the Bible, a completely new way of thinking, and an amazingly different way of looking at things. Like most people coming into the church today, they want to bring with them the accumulated knowledge from the professionals of psychology along with a mixture of other world religions, political bias, and a legion of information from the school of hard knocks. Here’s the problem! They are not much interested in dumping all this worldly knowledge but are much more interested in trying to assimilate it with God’s truth.

We live in a world that has over-analyzed every minute detail of life filling up volumes upon volumes to explain man’s behavior, his emotions, and his psychological problems. This new knowledge is being taught in every area of society from the cradle to the grave. It’s in our entertainment, from the movies we watch to the music we listen to, and to the books we read. It’s in public education from the earliest grades to our most prestigious schools of higher learning. It has also taken a prominent role in the workplace from hiring guidelines to required tests for employment to guidance for management and employees. This new knowledge has even gained a significant foothold in the churches of every religion, and specifically Christianity. To the average person living today this new knowledge has become essential for understanding and managing all of their challenges, their sorrows, and their many problems in life. This new knowledge has become so assimilated into the mindset of humanity that most people including Christians are left only with the professionals of this age in psychology to help them when things get too difficult to manage on their own. Unfortunately, the church no longer counsels only from God’s Holy Word, but integrates information from the professional into their counseling sessions or simply refers their flock to them directly.

After a decade of dismal failure that’s literally ripping the world apart humanity needs to jettison this corrupt knowledge from psychology and follow Jesus Christ who offers them a treasure trove of biblical wisdom to reshape their thinking process, to overcome every obstacle, along with every emotional and psychological problem. Although this wisdom is absolutely free, it takes faith believing that Jesus Christ is the only Way to a new life, a life more abundantly. Although this biblical wisdom will transform your life, it must be applied to your life by completely throwing out the old belief system that’s captured the entire world. The Bible talks about putting off the old life (See Ephesians 4:22-24), which includes our wrong thinking and impure thoughts. Wrong thinking and impure thoughts inevitably lead to bad behavior and a multitude of emotional and psychological problems. Moreover, wrong thinking and impure thoughts lead to what the Bible calls sin and its consequences of eternal damnation. Clearly, to put our hand to the proverbial plough and look back by seeking the world’s knowledge to solve our problems will make us unfit for the kingdom. We must let go of the world’s corrupt knowledge. In essence, we must die to self, allowing God to make us into a beautiful new creation (See II Corinthians 5:17).

Unfortunately, many will not make that commitment. They are like the other two illustrations that Jesus Christ uses (See verses 59-61). They both had ready excuses as to why they could not follow Christ and make the needed commitment to become one of His disciples. Yes, applying God’s truth to our life is the most difficult part. It’s difficult to change your way of thinking and acting, especially the thinking part! Believe me, it’s much easier to stop those more obvious sins that even the fallen world frowns upon, rather than those secret sins of the mind. Instead of offering excuses, pulling back, or running away we need to study all 121 commands in the New Testament that describe the new life in Christ. Obedience is application. Every step of the way the indwelling Spirit will encourage you as God’s Grace empowers you. Don’t put it off. It’s time to apply all of God’s truth to your life, which is ONLY possible if we stop believing the lies or the old knowledge that’s captured the world. We live in a world that’s obsessed with looking back on the knowledge that they have previously assimilated, while the world around them is falling apart. Professing themselves to be wise they have become a little more than fools. Make an assertive effort today to apply only God’s truth to your life. You will be happy that you did.

“And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).

Rev. Blair has recorded this Blog Article as a Tribulation Radio Show in HD Video with local vocalists, prayers, and much more to the glory of God. Please Click Here

This website and its content is copyright of He Reigns Christian Ministries – © Rev. Daniel W. Blair 2019. All rights reserved.