That verse is so intense. Jesus was not just talking about entering into the kingdom, but was saying you’re not able to see the unseen, to really grasp the things of the spirit. Paul explains how “the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Cor 2:14)
Conversely, this means that if you are born again you’re given the possibility to see the kingdom of God, to perceive the unseen in the promises of God, to create through faith the possibilities to overcome impossibilities. “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God, ALL things are possible.” (Mat 19:26). But the reality is that “all things are possible with God” is connected with “all things are possible with those who believe.”
Remember when Moses sent twelve spies into the promised land? Ten of them could not SEE the possibilities of going in to conquer the land. Only two of them could see the things of God because they believed in the promises of God. You can’t see the unseen unless you believe God. THIS is so intense. When you see the invisible, you can do the impossible.
Think of this. The entire generation of Israelites who were delivered from Egypt through a number of massive miracles of God, could not enter into the promised land because they refused to believe God.
Now transpose this into our lives. How many people wander in the wilderness of confusion their whole life simply because they refuse to BELIEVE in God and therefore are not able to see the unseen in the promises of God as their GPS for life.
What a SAD verse this is…“So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.” (Hebrews 3:19) Those poor guys ended up not only wandering in the wilderness but DYING there in their unbelief.
Just think, if God was to show you all that you have missed because of your unbelief. Wouldn’t that be downright sobering and even disappointing. What blessing of God are we missing out on because of our unbelief?
Already, I feel like I have wasted so much time in not seeing the full spectrum of truth in God’s Word. I’ve been a Christian, or at least rubbed against Christianity my whole life. Born into a a Catholic family, then a Protestant with “limited” truth, and only in recent years have I started to fully understand FAITH along with the POWER and the AUTHORITY that we’ve been given through the victory of the Cross.
I could live in condemnation just from the fact that I have wasted so much time not understanding the things of the Spirit, not because I didn’t want to believe, but I didn’t truly know and understand the Word. I FLIPPED OUT when I FULLY understood that Jesus gave His authority to ALL BELIEVERS… “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Lk 10:19)
For me, I think the saddest part about meeting Jesus might be when He opens my eyes to ALL that I had at my disposal, and all I could have done with my life if I had believed Him just a little bit more. “If you can believe, ALL things are POSSIBLE to him who believes.” (Mk 9:23) Again, conversely, this means that praying without faith accomplishes nothing.
Jesus explains how prayer works in Mark 11:24. He says, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” You believe it’s yours before you see it in the natural.
When we’re born physically, we get the sense of sight. But when we’re spiritually born again, we receive a new set of spiritual eyes. Paul prayed that; “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ.” (Eph 1:18-20)
Unless you’re born again, you can never SEE all that God has in store for your life. Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” (John 11:40)
God help us to stop nursing our worries and make some commitments in FAITH. We’ve got to step out and move against our fears and put on the “eyes of faith” given to us with our new identity.
I’ve compiled some of verses that confirm that God’s thoughts towards us and His purpose for us is SOOO much bigger than what we understand. Take a moment to meditate on these:
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“For I know the thoughts I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
“Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!” Psalm 139:16-17
“Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His Own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9
“Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.” Ephesians 1:4-5
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:3-4
“As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:3-4
“Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.” Exodus 19:5
“Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
“And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8
“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39
“But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.” (Ro 6:22)
“But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14
“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:2-3
“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:3-4
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11