Prologue in Sermons: January 13

On the Words of the Savior: "The Kingdom of God Suffers Violence"

January 13

(A Discourse on Labor and the Kingdom of Heaven)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

The Lord says, "The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force" (Matthew 11:12). How should these words be understood? Yes, in our opinion, they can be understood very simply. Work, labor for the salvation of your soul, pray, be self-controlled, fulfill the duties of your calling, enrich yourself with Christian virtues, and you will be saved.

In the teaching on labor and the Kingdom of Heaven, we read: "Do not be lazy, brethren, about your salvation, and do not be intemperate like beasts, thinking only of food and drink. For Christ did not choose us for this life alone, but called us to the Kingdom of Heaven and showed us the way by which we can enter it. It is said that we must enter the Kingdom of Heaven through many tribulations, and those who use force take it by force; and this effort of those who take it by force propitiates God, and He grants us eternal life. The Lord knows our hearts and sees when we sincerely labor for Him and for our salvation, when we hasten to church to glorify our Creator with hymns, when we spend time in prayer and vigil. And the Lord elevates such people to angelic dignity. And such people, who use force to attain the Kingdom of Heaven, are known to God as His friends."

Thus, brethren, exerting effort to attain the Kingdom of Heaven is not something special, but rather our unwavering striving to attain it and the struggles and labors that go with it. Many say, "To be saved, you must understand this in such-and-such a way, and that in such-and-such a way," yet they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger for their salvation. Therefore, while you labor zealously to attain the Kingdom of Heaven, do not overthink things, but always remember this: in the next world, if you are a simple man, the Lord will not ask you what effort it took to attain the Kingdom of Heaven, but will ask whether you did you fulfill your duty for your salvation honestly, diligently, and God-fearingly, even though you were a simple shepherd? Did you labor for the glory of God, for the benefit of your neighbors, and for the salvation of your soul? Did you love God above all else and your neighbor as yourself? This is what the Lord will ask.

Therefore, we say to everyone, make efforts to attain the Kingdom of Heaven, but at the same time never forget that unless you become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven ( Matthew 18:3 ). Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.