Fit for the Kingdom

Luke 9 is a thick chapter of scripture full of healing, revelation, and miracles.  In these verses you'll find success and failure, faith and fear.  The thing that sticks in my heart the most is the challenge.  Luke 9:60-62 depicts some quick exchanges with men who were challenged to join Jesus on his journey.  The first man wanted to join Jesus but he wanted to resolve his father's death first, and the second was called by Jesus but wanted to go back home to say goodbye to his family first.  Jesus did not mince words when he said that they were not fit for the kingdom.  Jesus put it this way, "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" Luke 9:62.   This statement causes me to ask some questions "What does it mean to be fit for the kingdom?"  "What Kingdom?"  "Am I fit for the kingdom?"

 What does it mean to be fit for the kingdom?  Well, if I look at the example that Jesus gave in scripture then to be fit for the kingdom is the opposite of not being fit for it: to put your hands to the plow and NOT look back.  We have all seen or experienced what happens when a person runs forward while looking back.  They become inefficient at best and bloody at worst.  Many children have the lumps on their heads to prove that it makes no sense to run or walk while looking back.  I also see in this example that as taking hold of what God has for you with no regret.  This begins with salvation through Jesus Christ, but it doesn't end there. God has established our salvation and given us land in his kingdom, but it is our responsibility to take hold of it and get to work chasing after the will of God for our lives.  When people talk about individuals who are fit for a job, they are talking about a person that is good for the job.   So we could rework "fit for the kingdom" to be "good for the kingdom." From this perspective to be fit for the kingdom means that you are a good representation of the kingdom and that you are adding value to the kingdom.    

 What kingdom?  Throughout the gospels (the first four books of the new testament of the Bible)  Jesus talks about the kingdom of God.  If we break that down, kingdom is an area that is governed by a specific set of government.  We could say that each president, prime minister, or king has a kingdom.  So the kingdom of God in its most earthly sense is the place where God governs.  So wouldn't that be the whole world?  Scripture gives us a plain out no on this, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" Ephesians 6:12.  In the world there are two kingdoms, the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness.  So God's kingdom is wherever the Word of God is accepted as law and where people trust in him for their lives.  

 Am I fit for the kingdom?  I can't tell if anyone is fit for the kingdom, but scripture gives us a clue.  Jesus says "follow me"  so I feel like if I am following Jesus intentionally then I am fit for the kingdom.  If I am looking to Jesus for my answers than I am fit for the kingdom.  If I am living with the goal of honoring God through my life then I am fit for the kingdom.  If I am letting go of my own rules to accept God's rules than I am fit for the kingdom.  My king isn't just a good king, he is God and King of Kings.  When I honor him as such and realize that he loves me, it is life changing.  I suppose to be fit for the kingdom is to realize your value to God and walk in it.  We are not only citizens, but royalty.  This means that God has given us authority in his kingdom to care for our earthly family, our kingdom family, and our environment. Someone who is fit for the kingdom follows God not just for their own sake, but for the sake of those in their sphere of influence.  So, are you fit?

 Bonus Question: What if I am not fit?

 If you do not recognize Jesus as the son of God than you are not fit to represent that kingdom because you are not a citizen, so that comes first. Scripture says that if we confess with our mouth and believe in our heart that Jesus is Lord and that God raised him from the dead than you are a citizen of God's kingdom.    

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