This phrase came to me one afternoon while in prayer. The definition: “Faith That Takes,” immediately followed. Then the scripture Jesus Himself spoke: “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matthew 11:12), filled it with revelation. This is not a passive person who sits around waiting for the blessings of God to fall on them like ripe cherries fall from a tree. The aggressive one will get up and do something!
The Lord has laid it on my heart concerning these days in which we are now living, how they must be filled with aggression. Aggression for the things of God, that is. Not tumult and terror, but faith filled, purpose driven, God inspired soul reaping and hell devastating!
Why does the kingdom of heaven suffer violence and is taken by violent force? Because there is a real devil and he doesn’t want you or anybody to experience any of it! But what of it? Is Satan greater than God? Is the enemy of all that is good stronger and wiser than the Creator of all that exists? Never!
Because of Adam’s treason in the Garden, Satan became the god of this world system. Jesus’ obedient sacrifice reversed what happened, but the results aren’t automatic; you have to believe on Him (become a new creature through the new-birth) and then take possession of the promises listed in God’s word. They’re not going to be realized in your life without a fight! Aggression is required.
First: study of God’s Word is paramount. Approach the Bible as a contract for life provided by the Master. I like to call it the ‘Owners Manual’ for living. If you want to understand how your new appliance or vehicle operates, you’ll open the provided manual and read about it. The word of God is God’s instruction book for how life works; compliance will experience optimum results!
Revelation is the strength of the faith that has come by reading and hearing the Word of God and gives inspiration to act on it. Aggressive Faith is the faith that will take possession of what you’ve read and heard.
Passivity will quench the light of that revelation; just sitting and doing nothing with God’s instruction! “If it’s God’s will I’ll…” Phooey on that! If you’ve got ‘black and white’ on something — DO IT! The devil would love for the Body of Christ to just keep on waiting for God to do something!
“I sure hope God sends Revival soon.” That kind of thing has kept the Spirit of God boxed in and imprisoned for centuries now! He’s always ready to move! He’s always looking to perform His word! His eyes are always roaming to and fro to show Himself strong on behalf of anyone’s heart that’s loyal toward Him! Aggressive Faith will call to Him from anywhere and bring Him on the scene; and when He’s around, He’s got everything you could ever need!
The Gates of Hell
Jesus said the gates of hell would not prevail against the Church (see Matthew 16:18). In the past that phrase has implied the activity of hell (sickness, poverty and turmoil); and I agree! But another side of that coin is this: at the fall of man, darkness (hell) enclosed the earth like a wall would enclose a city to fortify it. A fortified city has gates to go in and out through. The victory Jesus gained by shedding His blood and being raised from the dead obtained the keys to those gates (see Revelation 1:18)!
Hell cannot dole out anything the blood of Jesus hasn’t already overcome!! In fact, the Scriptures say: “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil!” (1 John 3:8b, see also Hebrews 2:14-18). The work is already done; the victory already won! We’ve been made more than conquerors through Him that loved us (Romans 8:37)!
I mention the gates of hell because everything that pertains to life here on this earth is on one side or the other of those gates: loved ones, prosperity in all forms; all that God created and put on this planet for His children to richly enjoy is either in your possession (this side of those gates) or waiting to be possessed (the other side of those gates). Aggressive faith will bust through those gates and possess what Jesus shed His blood for!
NOT — “If it be thy will!”
Once you’ve established in your heart what God’s will is, then go after it with everything you’ve got! — Be aggressive! He’ll back you and see to your success!!
SHOUT AMEN!