Dear Brethren, Co-Workers and Friends,
Why are we here on earth? Why does man exist? Why were you born? Why do you understand the Word of God, if you do, while many don’t—nor do they care? Why did God call you in this day and age to His truth, if He did? Why are you going through trials and suffering, while others seemingly don’t? Why do you need to continue and endure—rather than just giving up?
The list of questions could be endless. And still, they are of tremendous importance. You are not the product of blind time and chance! You are here for a reason. Your life has purpose. It has meaning. It has awesome significance.
God made man—He made you—to become part of His very Family—the Family or Kingdom of God! God is a ruling Family. He wants to share His rule with you, in His very own Family! You were called in this day and age to fulfill your potential of becoming God! What greater purpose could be there for anyone?
It is your potential to inherit the Kingdom of God. Most people have no idea as to what the Kingdom of God really is. It is a mystery to them—as is the entire Bible. They don’t understand that the gospel is good news or glad tidings. It is happy news about the Kingdom of God—and how man can inherit and enter it. The gospel tells you about the nature and essence of God; His plan; the purpose for your existence; and your ultimate future.
You can understand all of this, if God’s Holy Spirit leads, guides and imbues you. God gives us His Spirit, and He wants us to use it and “be fervent” in it (Romans 12:11). He wants us to be “strengthened with might through His Spirit” (Ephesians 3:16) and to be “filled” with it (Ephesians 5:18).
This does not happen automatically. Sadly, quite a few have neglected the gift of God that was given them. They rebelled and grieved the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 63:10; Ephesians 4:30). They resisted it (Acts 7:51). Some have quenched the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19). They blasphemed against it (Matthew 12:31)—rejecting the very power of God, which would help them to become God. In having done this, they will not reach their potential and the very purpose of their creation (Matthew 12:32).
David was aware of the possibility that one can sin so grievously that God might take away His Holy Spirit. He pleaded with God not to do this to him (Psalm 51:11).
We are told to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Of course we must, as it is our potential to inherit the Kingdom (Matthew 25:34). God wants to give it to us; sharing with us His very essence and His rule, first over this earth and then in the new heavens and the new earth (Luke 12:32; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:7; 22:5).
But if we follow our fleshly lusts and desires, we will not inherit it (Ephesians 5:5; Galatians 5:21). If we live differently than the rest of the world does—and we can only do this through the power of the Holy Spirit—then we will have to endure persecution and trials, because it is Satan who is the ruler and the god of this world. The Kingdom of God is NOT of this world (John 18:36). No surprise, then, that Paul tells us that we must “through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).
But we will not enter the Kingdom of God in this flesh. Flesh and blood cannot inherit it (1 Corinthians 15:50). We must be changed into Spirit, as God is Spirit; and we will only be changed into Spirit, if God’s Spirit dwells in us when we die, or when Christ returns. If we allow God’s Spirit to depart from us before we die or before Christ’s Second Coming, we will not enter the Kingdom of God.
If we are children of the Kingdom, we are “good seeds” (Matthew 13:38). As good seeds and good servants, we will want to please God. We will want to fulfill God’s purpose for us.
Why did God call you today? Not just so that you can “make it” into the Kingdom, but to help in doing His Work of proclaiming His good news of the Kingdom in all the world as a witness (Matthew 24:14). And a great Work it is (compare 1 Chronicles 29:1)—a Work, which people would not believe, though it were told them (compare Habakkuk 1:5). To be able to do such a great Work, we must believe that it can be done (John 6:29). Jesus never doubted that He would fulfill the task within the Work of God that had been given to Him (John 4:34). Neither did Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:2). They knew that this was not a Work of man, but of God, and that therefore, they would fulfill their part (Acts 5:38). They knew that it was only by the power of the Holy Spirit that they could do their part in God’s Work.
The time will come when our part in the Work will become manifest to everyone (1 Corinthians 3:13). How will it—and we—appear? In shame or in glory? Will we have rejoicing in our part in the Work (Galatians 6:4)? Or do we disregard the Work of God (Isaiah 5:12)? If we are involved in God’s Work, are we doing it deceitfully or negligently (Jeremiah 48:10)? Do we behold with adoration the Work of God (Psalm 46:8)?
We all must examine ourselves (2 Timothy 4:5; Ephesians 4:12). And we ought to pray for one another, that we don’t give up and walk away. Rather, we all must always abound in the Work of the Lord, knowing that our labor is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). In the process, we must allow God’s Spirit to change us—to become perfect, as our Father in heaven is perfect.
Let us note this admonition from the epistle of James: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves… he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:22, 25). The faithful servant will be blessed when his returning Master will find him “so doing” (Matthew 24:46).
Are we good and profitable servants who use what God has given us? Or are we fearful and timid servants who neglect or refuse to use God’s precious gift? Is our light shining from a hilltop or hidden beneath a basket? Are we participating in the Work of God in whatever area assigned to us by God (1 Corinthians 12:18)—or are we shying away from our responsibilities?
We are to pray, daily, for the coming of God’s Kingdom. But it won’t come, unless the gospel of the Kingdom has been preached. God called you to have your part in this all-important duty and commission. If you walk away from this assignment, God will have no pleasure in you. But Paul says that he is confident that the good work will be completed that God has begun in you (Philippians 1:6). Christ tells us: “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Revelation 22:12).
Let’s make every effort to hasten that day (2 Peter 3:12)!
With Christian love,
Norbert Link
