We will serve God not just to say that we are Christians or because we attend a church. We serve God because our desire is to reach the kingdom of heaven through Christ Jesus! After all, what is serving? According to the dictionary, serving means working on behalf of someone. When we serve God, we are placing ourselves at the disposal for the growth of the kingdom. Making the Lord’s will be established on earth, bringing into existence the purposes of God.
Serving God means being willing to fulfill His will and His desire, to kill the self and live God’s will.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
Serving God is renouncing our own wills, mortifying our desires, so that God’s will may be fully realized in our lives. God gave His own Son, so that everyone who believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. Jesus Christ surrenders fully to the Father’s purpose. Jesus Christ positions Himself as the true example of the faithful, obedient, and God-fearing servant to His Lord.
Jesus Christ: The Way, the Truth, and the Life
When speaking about the path that leads to salvation, we can observe that the Lord Jesus Christ Himself defines Himself as the only way to reach salvation.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)
Jesus Christ describes Himself as three extremely important pillars so that we can reach the kingdom of heaven. Within these three pillars, we will describe each one and understand how it becomes possible to achieve salvation through Christ Jesus.
Jesus Christ Is the Way
Way means: means of achieving a result; direction. So, we will understand that Jesus Christ is the only direction we must take so that we can achieve our salvation. Only Jesus Christ can make the church achieve its result, which is salvation.
Jesus Christ Is the Truth
Truth means: circumstance, object, or fact; reality. There is no other truth besides the one Jesus leaves recorded for us in the Scriptures. Jesus Christ is yes, and always will be, the only truth. Everything He reported in the Scriptures has been fulfilled in our days.
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. (Matthew 24:6-7) The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. (Luke 12:53)
Each verse quoted above has already been fulfilled in our days. When we believe in this truth that is the word of God, we are treading the right path so that we can achieve our salvation.
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)
Many human theories and their knowledge are indeed true, but there is only one truth capable of freeing people from sin, destruction, and evil dominion. This truth is found only in Jesus Christ and through the word of God. The Scriptures bear witness to the only truth capable of freeing man from sin, the world, and demonic power. No more revelations of “truths” are needed to complete Christ’s gospel or to make it more suitable, for Christ’s gospel is the only perfect solution.
The saving truth is revealed from God only by His Spirit and does not come from any person or human wisdom. When we recognize Jesus Christ as the only truth, we achieve liberation from evil dominion, oppositions, everything that can distance us from God.
If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. (John 12:26)
Faith in Jesus Christ involves personal commitment to follow, keep these teachings, and be where He is. Following Christ includes denying oneself and taking up one’s cross.
And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (Mark 8:34)
The cross is the symbol of suffering, death, shame, mockery, rejection, and personal renunciation. Every Christian, when deciding to deny themselves, makes the decision to fight to the end against sin, fight against Satan and the powers of darkness to extend the kingdom of God.
The Christian must be determined to face the hostility of the adversary and the evil hosts, as well as face the persecution that arises from resisting false teachers who distort the truths of the Gospel. To reach the kingdom of heaven, it is necessary that we stop living for our own wills and live for God’s will and desire.
Jesus Christ Is the Life
Jesus Christ overcame death! Unfortunately, sin separates us from God; sin brings death, and only through Jesus Christ can we be resurrected and achieve eternal life. When someone raises their hands and accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of their life, they begin to live a new life that is complete and full of peace.
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? (John 11:25-26)
We understand that physical death is not a tragic end, but on the contrary, it is the passport to eternal and abundant life, and communion with God. “Shall live” refers to the resurrection; “shall never die” means that the believer will have a new, immortal, and incorruptible body that cannot die or deteriorate.
To reach the kingdom of heaven, it is necessary to allow God’s word to come like a seed thrown into our heart, to germinate, grow, and bear fruit.
But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. (Luke 8:15)
When God’s word finds shelter in our hearts, we begin to understand God’s purposes for our lives. From then on, step by step, we begin to produce fruits worthy of repentance. Through our lives, people are impacted by God’s power; we become instruments of God, for the seed that was planted fell on fertile ground.
Perseverance and Effort in the Kingdom of Heaven
The kingdom of heaven requires perseverance. Reaching the kingdom of heaven demands determination and purpose.
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. (Matthew 11:12)
Only those who make an effort can seize the kingdom of heaven. Belonging to the kingdom of God and enjoying all its blessings requires sincere and constant effort. It is a battle of faith, allied with an immense will to resist Satan, sin, and the perverse society in which we live.
Those who live according to the world’s will, neglecting God’s word, those who have little spiritual hunger, and those who pray rarely will never know the kingdom of heaven, for the kingdom of heaven is for people bold in faith.
Biblical Examples of Boldness and Calling
God calls to the kingdom people like Joseph.
There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? (Genesis 39:9)
God calls to the kingdom people like Nathan.
And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul. (2 Samuel 12:7)
God calls to the kingdom people like Elijah.
And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. (1 Kings 18:21)
God calls to the kingdom people like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he vaunting himself against the LORD? (Daniel 3:16-18)
What Is Your Calling?
Have you ever stopped to imagine what calling God has for your life? We all have a calling from God for our lives, but it is not always easy to understand the calling God has for us. Today we will study about God’s calling. Click and discover your calling now!
God calls to the kingdom people like Mordecai.
And when they spake unto him day after day, and he hearkened not unto them, they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew. And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. (Esther 3:4-5)
God calls to the kingdom people like Peter and John.
But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. (Acts 4:19-20)
God calls to the kingdom people like Stephen.
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. (Acts 6:8)
God calls to the kingdom people like Paul.
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)
God calls to the kingdom people like Deborah.
And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh. (Judges 4:9)
God calls to the kingdom people like Ruth.
And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her. (Ruth 1:16-18)
God calls to the kingdom people like Esther.
Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. (Esther 4:16)
God calls to the kingdom people like Mary.
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:26-35)
God calls to the kingdom people like Anna.
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. (Luke 2:36-38)
God calls to the kingdom people like Lydia.
And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us. (Acts 16:14-15)
If you desire to reach the kingdom of heaven, be inspired by people like those we mentioned above. Each of them was bold before the presence of God; all denied the flesh, renounced their wills, mortified their desires, and renounced their lives to live according to God’s will.
We can conclude that we were called to populate the kingdom of heaven; we are not here on this earth as fruits of chance, we came with a purpose, a calling from God in our lives. God desires that we fulfill His calling for our lives and that, through our lives, we become capable of reaching other people for the kingdom.
May we, from today onward, reach as many people as possible, telling them that Jesus Christ heals, saves, delivers, and takes to heaven, for this word is faithful and true.
