Fit For The Kingdom

Luke 9:62

And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

A sobering reminder from none other than our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ Himself!

The ancient plow (or plough) is the contraption which is attached to some kind of beast of burden (most likely oxen in the region) that allows one to turn furrows or grooves in the soil to prepare the field for planting. Quite obviously, the farmer has to keep his eyes forward to guide the animals so as to cut straight furrows in the ground. 

As the Christians, we have committed our lives to Christ. We have been created in Christ for good works (Eph 2:10). We are new creatures (2Co 5:17) have put on the new man (Eph 4:24; Col 3:10). Old things have passed away (2Co 5:17). Wherefore we have no business with the old but indeed should be looking and working forward.

As Paul wrote in Phi 3:13 - 14

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Looking back will distract us from focussing on what is really important. We recall how the Israelites constantly lamented about the "good old days" back in Egypt, even as slaves! And how as a result they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years when the exodus should have taken 40 days!

Looking back will not allow us to perform our best. Just like the farmer who is distracted, will not be able to cut proper furrows and result in wasted work.We are reminded of the parable of the talents (Mat 25:14-30), where in the end, the ineffective servant got his just deserts (v.30). Let us be forewarned! It is as much a transgression to commit sin as it is to omit our duty!

Looking back will finally cause us to suffer catastrophic failure and as Peter sternly warned in 2Pe 2:20-22, we will suffer a worse end than those who have not believed at all! 

Brethren, let us not be deceived and distracted. The life of the Christian is one of single-minded focus on the work of the Lord. We have been called as servants of righteousness and we are expected to perform to our very best. Let us not be called unfit, but let Jesus call us "good and faithful servant(s)" that we may enter into the joy of the Lord (Mat 25:21,23).