RECEIVE THE KINGDOM OF GOD

E. Stanley Jones (1884-1974) wrote, “We do not “build the Kingdom,” as the emphasis was a generation ago and still lingers on in anemic vocabularies…you “receive the Kingdom.” “Let us be grateful for receiving a Kingdom which cannot be shaken.” (Hebrews 12:28) “Building the Kingdom” depicts the unsurrendered self thinking it can build the Kingdom by its own efforts. But “receiving the Kingdom” depicts the surrendered, receptive self with emptied hands accepting God’s gift of grace, forgiveness, conversion, new birth, and …this is the point…introducing him to the most exciting fact of the universe, the Kingdom of God. There divine resources for human living are at the disposal of those who are humble enough to receive. “Blessed are the poor in spirit (humble and receptive enough to receive), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”…they not only belong to the Kingdom of Heaven… the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them. All its resources are at their disposal. It is behind them, backs them, and gives them cosmic approval. It brings all life into coherence, meaning and goal.”
(From ‘Conversion’ 1959)

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Jesus