The Kingdom is intended only for those who by God's grace shall at heart become like to the Lord Jesus, in that they will love the Lord with all their hearts, with all their souls, and be able to say, "Not my will, but thy will, O Lord, be done." No other condition than this of full submission to the Lord can make us acceptable for the Kingdom; for no other condition represents full self-submission and full love to God. And let us not forget that all the heavenly things which "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man," God has reserved for them that love Him supremely.
God seeks a tested people, proven loyal in every point of character. For this reason He arranges the various providences in the lives of His people, so that they may demonstrate amid these providences their hearts' attitude, whether it be one of devotion to Him, to self, or to the world; and blessed is the Christian who demonstrates devotion to God!
Gen. 22:1-14; Deut. 8:2, 5; 2 Chron. 32:31; Job 1:8-22; 2:3-10; Psa. 66:10-13; Dan. 12:10; Zech. 13:9; Mal. 3:2, 3; 2 Thes. 1:4, 5; Heb. 12:5-11; Jas. 1:2, 3, 12; 1 Pet. 1:6, 7; 4:12-19; Rev. 2:10.
