Pressing Into the Kingdom of God

by Jonathan Edwards
"The law and the prophets were until John; since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it." Luke 16:16

The kingdom of heaven should be sought, first, because of the extreme necessity we are in of getting into the kingdom of heaven. We are in a perishing necessity of it; without it we are utterly and eternally lost. Out of the kingdom of God there is no safety; there is no other hiding place. This is the only city of refuge in which we can be secure. It should be sought, second, because of the shortness and uncertainty of the opportunity for getting into the kingdom. Our day is limited. God has set our bounds, and we know not where. While persons are out of the kingdom, they are in danger every hour of being overtaken with wrath. We know not how soon we shall get past that line. There is much difficulty getting into the kingdom of God. Innumerable difficulties are in the way such as few conquer. Most of them who try do not have resolution, courage, earnestness, and constancy enough; but they fail, give up, and perish. They are turned aside or turn back.
Though it is attended with so much difficulty, yet it is not an impossible thing. God is able to accomplish it, and has sufficient mercy for it; and there is sufficient provision made through Christ that God may do it consistent with the honor of His majesty, justice, and truth. It is fitting that the kingdom should be thus sought because of the great excellency of it. We are willing to seek earthly things of trifling value; it therefore certainly becomes us to seek that with great earnestness which is of infinitely greater worth and excellence.

From Jonathan Edward's sermon entitled "Pressing Into the Kingdom"