Matthew 13:44-46
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."
In the parable of the hidden treasure and the pearl, the kingdom of God is worthy of pursuing regardless of costs. The kingdom of God is being described as like hidden treasure, which is not very attractive from the surface. If we tell others that believing in Jesus will make them rich and successful when sharing the gospel, many will come to Jesus, but the "gospel" that they heard is not about the kingdom of God. The real gospel is, "whoever want to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me". This expression of gospel could easily drive people away from the gospel. The preciousness of the kingdom of God is the wisdom, joy, and satisfactions that come from obeying God. This is why Jesus said, "Unless a kernel of wheat falls to ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." If we were to receive the hidden treasure, we need to follow Christ and allow God's will to be done on us without any hindrance.
When we offer ourselves to God, miracles will start to happen in our lives, just like the disciples. In the miracles of five loaves and two fishes, what the child offered is nothing compares to the need, but Jesus did a miracle from those offerings simply because those were offered to the Lord. Once a minister who was used greatly by God in China prayed with another brother that God would rise up a generation that would consecrate themselves and willing to be used by God. But then the Holy Spirit spoke to him, "You are one of those I will use," and that shocked him. He said to himself, I was merely praying that others would be used, not me. But the Holy Spirit asked him, "if you are not willing, who else would?" Dear brothers and sisters, let us not just pray for others; let us pray for ourselves as well. Pray that God will revive you, then commit your lives to our almighty God and participate in the expansion of His kingdom.
The purpose of us being in this world is not so that we could be separated from the world; it is to establish His kingdom through us who believe. That is why in the Lord's Prayer: May Your kingdom come, May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. How can the will of God be done on earth as it is in heaven? It can only be done through our submission to Him, so that He can use us. You can see the beauty of God's kingdom only when you are willing to commit your lives to Him!
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