{"id":53951,"date":"2020-08-27T14:31:32","date_gmt":"2020-08-27T11:31:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=53951"},"modified":"2025-07-30T14:13:39","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T11:13:39","slug":"these-are-times-to-press-in-with-force","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2020\/08\/27\/these-are-times-to-press-in-with-force\/","title":{"rendered":"These Are Times to Press In with Force"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Luke 16:16<\/strong> \u2013 \u201c<\/em><\/p>\n

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The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Notice that final phrase: \u201cand everyone is forcing their way into it.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

When the Lord Jesus spoke these words, He intentionally mentioned the Old Covenant\u2014the Law and the Prophets\u2014before turning to the New Covenant and concluding that since John the Baptist, everyone must press in with force<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Under the Old Covenant, it was relatively easy to know the Law. It didn\u2019t require deep struggle or resistance to be familiar with the Torah. But with the arrival of the true Gospel\u2014the message of forgiveness of sins and intimate knowledge of God\u2014fierce opposition arose. To enter God\u2019s kingdom now requires spiritual force, courage, and perseverance.<\/p>\n

Even during Jesus\u2019 time, Pharisees and teachers of the Law actively opposed anyone who confessed Christ publicly. \u201c<\/em><\/p>\n

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His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue.\u201d<\/em> (John 9:22).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Being cast out of the synagogue in that era was devastating: it meant rejection by the entire Jewish community, including one\u2019s own family, and the loss of social and economic support. Yet many still forced<\/em> their way in, willing to face rejection for the sake of the Kingdom of God.<\/p>\n

The same holds true today. Entering the Kingdom of Heaven requires determination. Many religious leaders may discourage you from true salvation because their traditions conflict with the plain teaching of Scripture. Some may hold on to idol worship or deny the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Do not be swayed by them\u2014press in with force.<\/p>\n

Jesus warned of such leaders: \u201c<\/em><\/p>\n

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Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.\u201d<\/em> (Luke 11:52).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Reject Empty Traditions and Embrace True Salvation<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Turn away from sin, seek true repentance, and pursue proper baptism\u2014by full immersion in water (John 3:23), in the name of Jesus Christ<\/strong> as commanded in Acts 2:38<\/em>. The practice of sprinkling water is absent from Scripture.<\/p>\n

Press in with all your might\u2014even if your family misunderstands, even if your friends mock you, even if the world calls you foolish. Save your soul! Separate yourself from anything or anyone that hinders your path to salvation.<\/p>\n

The Apostle Paul reminds us that each person must carry their own load (Galatians 6:5<\/em>). We are living in the final days; the rapture is near. Jesus warned that just as in the days of Lot, only a few were saved out of multitudes (Luke 17:28\u201329<\/em>). Similarly, only a faithful remnant will press through the obstacles to enter the Kingdom.<\/p>\n

Satan understands the priceless treasure of God\u2019s Kingdom. That\u2019s why he works to make it difficult for you\u2014using fear, persecution, and even the pressure of friends and religious authorities\u2014to keep you in darkness. Yet Jesus said:<\/p>\n

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\u201cDo not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law\u2014a man\u2019s enemies will be the members of his own household. Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.\u201d<\/em> (Matthew 10:34\u201339)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Now Is the Time<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you haven\u2019t yet made the decision, the invitation of salvation is still open. It\u2019s freely given, but it demands perseverance. As you press in with all your heart, the Lord Jesus will reveal Himself to you in ways you have never known. You will grow in true knowledge of God, and He will walk with you.<\/p>\n

Maranatha-Come Lord Jesus!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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