THE SERMON - Waging Holy Violence

Christ declares that from the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. This does not mean that men can wrestle the Kingdom from God’s hands, but rather that true conversion always involves earnestness, spiritual struggle, and holy zeal. Salvation is not gained by sloth, but by the Spirit’s quickening power which leads to urgent and effectual seeking of God.