The kingdom of God (the one who runs the kingdom) or heaven (the position where the Kingdom operates) is where Christ has the preeminence as All in All. What we have done is that we have invited sinners to Christ on the basis of their own self-serving needs, or just as entertainment and feel good messages. As a result, most of these people have been sitting like the man that sat at the gate called beautiful: claiming salvation yet never entering the Kingdom, never coming to the full-knowledge of Truth, and never demonstrate the preeminence of Christ over death, sin, self, satan, shame, sickness, disease, poverty, barrenness, hatred, prolonged singleness, weakness, joblessness, oppression, disease, and fear. Oh what a pity!
SECONDLY, The proper confesssion is not enough.
We began by saying that not only is the Way more narrow than we have been taught, but the Kingdom is more profound than we have been taught. The Kingdom of God is “at hand”, “has arrived”, “is among you”, “is within you.” “Thy Kingdom come… on earth as it is in heaven.” Not everyone who says, “Lord, Lord” will enter into this Kingdom. Are we saying confession is unimportant or unnecessary? God forbid! “As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will confess to God (Romans 14:11).” Yet, even if “every tongue will confess,” sooner or later it still remains that not everyone who says, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the Kingdom. It is most difficult to find a religious person who does not claim to be following Christ and does not say, “Lord, Lord.” Even so, they will not enter in based solely on saying, “Lord, Lord.”
The text goes on to say that there are even those who can perform signs and wonders in the Name of Jesus, but the Lord does not even know who they are! Obviously this is a serious problem. Jesus said only few will be saved: many will try to enter but will be unable; few will enter the gate and walk the path in order to find Life. Many are called, but few are chosen.
THIRDLY, Unless you become a child, you cannot enter.
“The disciples came to Jesus and wanted to know, ‘Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?’ So Jesus called a little child and had him stand in the midst of them. And then He said, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like this little child, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. So the greatest one in the Kingdom of Heaven is the one who humbles himself like this child.’” (Matthew 18:1-4).
The disciples wanted to know who would be the greatest in the Kingdom. What they were really asking was, “Which one of us is the greatest?” In their question we see that they are heading in the wrong direction already. They see themselves as leaders, as kings, as lords, as heads inside this Kingdom. But Jesus seems to say, “Why do you assume that you have even entered the Kingdom? Unless you change from what you are into what this child is, you cannot even enter, so how can you claim to be the greatest?” Pride is a great stumblingblock. Proud people cannot enter the Kingdom of God. They cannot give up their own preeminence for His.
Jesus had to call a child to make His point. Why? He could have just said, “Humble yourself as a child.” But He did not. There is significance to calling the child over and having him stand in the midst of them. Only after this was done did Jesus say, “Become like this child, or you cannot enter the Kingdom.” So what is the significance? Jesus called the child, and the child responded to Jesus. There is no questioning from the child, such as, “What do You want?” or “Who are you?” Jesus had him stand in the midst of them, and again, the child complies. We do not hear him say, “Why?” or “What are you going to do now?” or “I don’t have time to stand here, I want to go and play.” Instead the child did what he was told; silent, meek, surrendered, obedient. Jesus meant, “the greatest people in the Kingdom are the ones who do what I tell them to do, without doubting.” It is only when we get older that we begin to question everything. We are waiting for Jesus to give us grand instructions and commandments: “Go around the world and proclaim the Gospel full-time” or “Rise up and fulfill the ministry of an apostle” or “I have appointed you to be a prophet to the nations.” But if we cannot hear and obey in the small things, how can we expect Him to lead us into greater things?
