Only the Committed Enter the Kingdom of Heaven
Bible study on heaven.

Jesus told His disciples two parables about commitment saying: "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it" (Matt. 13:44-46).

We must be committed to enter the kingdom of heaven. In both parables, the men found a treasure which represents the kingdom of heaven. And the men sold all that they had to purchase the treasure.

Now, we cannot buy the kingdom of heaven. But the message is that we must forsake all that we have to inherit the kingdom of heaven. We must be committed to give everything for a home in heaven.

Jesus said: "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. . . . So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple" (Lk. 16:26-33).

To commit ourselves to God means:

• to entrust ourselves to God. We give ourselves over to God fully trusting Him to care for us and give us the promised rest in heaven.

• to pledge our allegiance and obedience to God. Although we do not know what tomorrow may bring, we pledge that we will be faithful to Him - whatever the cost may be.

• to deliberately carry our pledge into action. Christians diligently work to fulfill their pledge of faithful allegiance and obedient service to God.

• to obligate and bind our lives to God. Our pledge of faithful service is such that we bind ourselves to carry out our pledge no matter the cost.

God's commitment to us was to give His only begotten Son. Jesus' commitment to us was to humbly come to earth as a servant and give Himself upon the cross for our sins. And our commitment to God must be:

• 1 Pet. 4:19 to commit our souls to God in doing good

• Lk. 9:62 to stay focused on our commitment to God, not looking back at the world of sin

• 1 Cor. 15:31; Gal. 2:20; Rev. 2:10 a commitment to the death - dying daily to sin, faithful until mortal death

• Rev. 2:4 a commitment to never leave our first love - God, Jesus, zealous faithful service

Ask yourself: Am I committed to God? Have I committed myself to the death? Am I committed to never leave my first love?