Mark 12:34 (and when Jesus saw that he answered discrete, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God, and no man after that durst ask him a question)

There are three categories of men in our society: those who are far away from the kingdom of God, even if they hear the voice of their rescuers, they wouldn’t listen because they have been sold out to the devil.

They listen to sermons and the message of Moses and all the prophets, even though if someone should be raised from the grave to warn them to the Lord’s side, they won’t listen.

They’re the type Christ said; they have ears but won’t listen; they have eyes but won’t see because their judgment is sealed, so they won’t repent and be healed.

The other category is those who are not far from the kingdom; they listen to the sermons of their pastors, and they can show others the way to the kingdom but won’t enter because they failed to acknowledge the only one sent by God and chose their own Jesus from the imagination of their corrupt heart.

They are too proud to admit to what they’re called by God; they always defend themselves and put the blame for their iniquity on others, and they normally want to take glory for everything they did for God.

The third category is those who heard, listened, and obeyed; they’ve been transferred from the kingdom of darkness, which belongs to Satan, to the kingdom of light, which belongs to God.

As they heard the voice of the shepherd calling, they followed, other shepherds they wouldn’t follow, for they could differentiate their shepherd’s voice from that of the thief.

Which category do you belong to?

This is a solemn question we need to ask ourselves before the roll is called up yonder, and everyone will give an account of what he has done in the flesh.

This scribe genuinely desired to know more about God’s way when he saw how Jesus Christ answered those who came for one thing or the other.

He asked Jesus what which is the first commandment of all, and Jesus Christ told him that the second is based on love, the love for God, and the love for your fellow human being.

There is no other commandment that is greater than that, he agreed with the answer, and Jesus Christ commended him that he is not far from the kingdom of God, but unfortunately, we hadn’t heard that he entered.

This is the situation of many out there; they know the law and what it takes to take over the kingdom, but it’s not easy to get hold of it, for it’s only people with violence that can take over the kingdom by force.

The violence of declaring Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior won’t move in the face of persecution.

This man is not far from the kingdom but never entered because he never acknowledged Christ as Lord, not to talk of following Him.

He only thinks that he can answer questions well and knows more of the bible than the scribes, but he never knew that he was the one with the keys to the kingdom.

He knew that the way of life is to love the Lord and your neighbors but didn’t know who the Lord is for him to love, had he known that the Lord is the one standing before him, he would have taken advantage of following Him at that moment, but the log in his eyes is yet to be removed but only see the specks in other people’s eyes.

The man would have known by now, but it is too late to make an amendment.

If you’re the type who goes to church but hardens to the truth, you might be a leader, choir mistress, or choirmaster; you are just standing at the gate of the kingdom and won’t enter or allow others to enter if you refuse to obey the truth.

This is the time for you to enter the kingdom with boldness before it’s too late; thou art not far from it, but something is keeping you out, which you need to deal with.

What is that pride that hides in your heart, ready to defend your weakness before men instead of going to the cross of Christ and abandoning it there?

Don’t be like that man who saw the savior of the world, but the only thing he could do was to test his intelligence in the knowledge of God but not ready to believe in him.

Are you trying to sample all the messages and see the one well preached instead of believing that the word of God is true? Pick the one that speaks to you and make amendments to your soul.

Don’t you know that God’s word is a double-edged sword that speaks to the listener and the speaker also?

Some ministers whose God has used are so arrogant that they can’t stand under another person’s anointing.

There was a man whenever he saw someone preaching, the question he always asked is, has he raised the dead, or has he healed the sick? If not, I won’t listen to him, just because he raised a dead once.

This was his character to every message delivered on the pulpit because he was once raised dead back to life, and the pride entered him till he ran mad without a solution.

He was busy parading the gate of the kingdom of God but failed to enter.

That character you refused to let go, the envy in your heart against any man that’s higher than you will prevent you from entering this gate; nothing unclean shall enter!

Prayer: Father Lord, hold me with your right hand. Don’t let me fall into my enemy’s devices. In Jesus’ name, amen.