The Least In God's Kingdom

/ "Among them that are born of women, there has not risen a greater than John the baptist. Notwithstanding, he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he" (Mat.11:11).

This is one of the most wonderful revelations given by the Lord Jesus in his preachings about the standard of the kingdom of God. Many however have wondered over the meaning of this statement of the Lord while some others have explained it off vaguely telling that "to be under grace is far glorious than under the law". It was when the question was raised before me in a fellowship that the Lord gave me the wisdom of the statement he made.

For someone to realize this standard laid down by the Lord Jesus Christ himself for the least in the kingdom of God, one has to look at the anointing of faith that was upon John the baptist in his ministry. "For unto every one of us is given the Holy Spirit by measure; but unto the Lord Jesus was the spirit not given by measure (John 3:34); "For in him dwelleth the fulness of the Godhead bodily" (Col.2:9) and of his fulness have all we received and grace for grace (John 1:16). Christ testified of John the baptist as having the "Elijha" anointing measure (Mat.11:14). "Yet John did no miracle but all things that John spake of this man (Jesus) were true" (John 10:41). Therefore the Elijah measure of faith is not just in miracle performance, but a measure of FEARLESSNESS to declare the truth before kings and princes as it characterised the old-time prophet Elijah before King Ahab. Such was the fearlessness of John the baptist when he called the pharisees: "O GENERATION OF VIPERS, WHO HAS WARNED TO FLEE FROM THE WRATH TO COME? BRING FORTH THEREFORE FRUITS WORTHY OF REPENTANCE, AND BEGIN NOT TO SAY WITHIN YOURSELVES WE HAVE ABRAHAM TO OUR FATHER, FOR I SAY UNTO YOU THAT GOD IS ABLE OF THESE STONES TO RAISE UP CHILDREN UNTO ABRAHAM.(Lk.3:7-8).

Neither was Elijah nor John the baptist afraid of the king for John testified unto king Herod that it was not right for him to take his brother Philip's wife, though it cost him his head. (Mat. 14:3). Behold the fundamental faith of any person that shall enter the Kingdom of God must not fear to die for the truth and Jesus passed this down to all, when he saith: "HE THAT FINDETH HIS LIFE SHALL LOSE IT" (Mat.10:39), and "he that denieth me before men, him also will I deny before ny Father and all his Holy angels: (Lk.12:9).

Right from the time of the first church age of the apostles, though few believers like apostle Paul or Peter did perform miracles and wonders, but the least among the believers withstood the trial of persecution and mocking and many were beheaded and scattered abroad for their faith in Christ (Acts.8:1). History recorded that saints were thrown to feed lions in Rome's arena during the great martydom age. Therefore it is clear that the least in the kingdom of God must possess the faith to obey every word of God, one of which says : "he that hate not his father, and mother, and children, yea and his own life also cannot be my disciple", and he that does not bear his cross and follow after me, cannot be my disciple. (Lk.14:26-27).

This is the faith worthy of saints! Fear not saith the Lord, "I am the ressurrection and the life, he that believeth in him, though he were dead yet shall he live",(John 11:25) "but even the very hairs of your head are all n numbered" (Lk.12:7). Knowing that all that would live godly on this earth must suffer tribulation, and the least in the kingdom of God is greater than John the baptist, Jesus saith: :Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake; rejoice and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you" (Mat.5:10-11).

So brethren, do you want to be in the kingdom of God? Then you must be greater than John the baptist. You must be ready to confess the truth always though it costs you your neck, before kings or priests. You must speak out for Jesus, respecting not your life and fearing not arrest, forbearing threatenings, "FOR WE BROUGHT NOTHING TO THIS WORLD AND IT IS CERTAIN WE CAN CARRY NOTHING OUT OF IT!" Oh yes, Amen! This persecution faith is what Christ has impressed upon all believers to accept and expect as general fate of saints. Hence for the least in the kingdom of God, when he saith: "but take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten, and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them". "Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up aginst their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end shall be saved" (Mat.13:9,12). Remember "we brought nothing to this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out of it! (1 Tim.6:7). Fear not, and deny not Christ!


Bro. Julius Adewumi, Gospel Distribution Ministry, USA.