Kingdom Violence (2)

(3) There is opposition from the world. On one side there are the snares and delights of the world, to quench the delight in the good things of the Spirit. On the other side are fears, terrors, and scandals, to scare us from doing what we know we ought to do.
(4) There is opposition from Satan in every good action. He besets us in prayer and in our duties with distracted thoughts, for he knows these tend to the ruin of him and of his kingdom. There is no good action that isn't opposed from both within us and without us. The means of salvation and our attention to them are not without slander and disgrace in the world.
(5) God will have this violence and striving as a character of difference, to show who are false professors and who are true. True followers of Jesus must endure the cost and charges and sometimes even to sacrifice life itself; yielding whatever is dear and precious in the world. A man must be so violent that he is willing to go through all, even death itself, though it be a bloody death, for Christ. This reveals all lukewarm, carnal professors, who avoid this violence. God requires this violence even in the most peaceful times. In times of peace the truth and religion are tolerated by the laws of the land, yet the influence of truth is much opposed by many. Those in Christ will bear the scorn that is cast upon the gospel, they will 'go with Christ outside the gate, bearing his reproach' (Heb. 13:13). It is an easy thing to have as much of Christianity as will be acceptable to our feelings or our pleasure; but to have as much as will bring glory to heaven, is always hard for the church.
(6) God will have us grow in grace with violence that we may set a higher price on the things of grace. When we have things that are gotten by violence and difficulty, oh how much more we value them!

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
Victorious Violence, Works, vol. 6, pp. 301-02
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