There are many obstacles that Jesus Christ lists to the kingdom of heaven which we must be constantly guarding ourselves against. These are very serious obstacles which could cause a serious fall in an individual's life - perhaps a fall which cannot be recovered from. One of the best places where these obstacles are fully described is in the parable of the sower, found in Mt. 13, Mk. 4, and Lu. 8:
"20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful." Mt. 13:20-22
"16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.
18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful." Mk. 4:16-19
"13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection." Lu. 8:13-14
The obstacles then are as follows:
- Tribulation/afflication/trials (temptation).
- Cares/riches/pleasures (Gk. hedone, sensual delight)/lusts
The word for 'cares' is merimna, from #3307 (through the idea of distraction); meaning solicitude, care. It is apparent, then, that Jesus Christ requires full dedication to his gospel, which is why he told you to 'seek ye first' for the kingdom of God and his righteousness (Mt. 6:33). It is also why he told the rich young ruler to 'go and sell all that he has' and then 'come take up the cross and follow me.' So it is apparent that God requires total dedication - not something that modern Christian pastors like to preach nowadays.
Christ states that these things will in fact keep us from entering the kingdom of heaven. In other words, they have nothing to do with the real gospel of Jesus Christ. As such, we must be on our guard against these things.
"20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful." Mt. 13:20-22
"16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.
18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful." Mk. 4:16-19
"13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection." Lu. 8:13-14
The obstacles then are as follows:
- Tribulation/afflication/trials (temptation).
- Cares/riches/pleasures (Gk. hedone, sensual delight)/lusts
The word for 'cares' is merimna, from #3307 (through the idea of distraction); meaning solicitude, care. It is apparent, then, that Jesus Christ requires full dedication to his gospel, which is why he told you to 'seek ye first' for the kingdom of God and his righteousness (Mt. 6:33). It is also why he told the rich young ruler to 'go and sell all that he has' and then 'come take up the cross and follow me.' So it is apparent that God requires total dedication - not something that modern Christian pastors like to preach nowadays.
Christ states that these things will in fact keep us from entering the kingdom of heaven. In other words, they have nothing to do with the real gospel of Jesus Christ. As such, we must be on our guard against these things.
