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NO U-TURNS IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD By: Major Frank Materu

Key Scripture:

“No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” — Luke 9:62

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Introduction

The call to follow God is a call to transformation, commitment, and perseverance. It is not merely an invitation to believe for a moment, but rather a lifelong journey of obedience and faithfulness. When a person chooses to enter the Way of God, they step onto a path that leads to Life, Love, and Light. This path is not always easy, but it is the only path that leads to eternal life and true fulfillment.

Many people begin their walk with God with enthusiasm and joy. They experience healing, deliverance, restoration, and peace. They feel the presence of God and rejoice in the newness of life. However, as time passes and challenges arise, some begin to reconsider their commitment. The difficulties of the journey may appear overwhelming, and the temptations of the old life begin to call them back. It is at this moment that the danger of making a spiritual “U-turn” becomes very real.

A spiritual U-turn occurs when a person who once walked in the ways of God chooses to turn back to their former life of sin and self-will. Instead of continuing forward in obedience, they retreat into old habits, old thoughts, and old desires. This turning back is not merely a small mistake; it is a deliberate movement away from truth and toward deception.

God’s desire is for His people to walk forward, not backward. The Kingdom of God is a forward-moving Kingdom. It is a Kingdom of growth, transformation, and perseverance. Those who remain faithful in this journey will discover that God’s way is the way of life and peace. But those who turn back risk losing the very treasures that God has given them.

This lesson explores the seriousness of turning away from God’s path, the dangers of returning to the old life, and the necessity of remaining steadfast in the Way of Jesus Christ.

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The Call to Follow Without Turning Back

“Remember Lot’s wife.” — Luke 17:32

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When God calls a person into His Kingdom, He calls them into a new life. This new life requires leaving behind the old ways of sin, pride, and selfishness. The call of God is not partial; it is complete. It requires a full surrender of the heart and mind.

Looking back represents a divided heart. It reveals a longing for what God has already called us to leave behind. Just as Lot’s wife looked back toward Sodom and was turned into a pillar of salt, so too can believers become spiritually stagnant when they long for their past lives.

The Kingdom of God requires forward movement. A farmer who plows a field must look ahead in order to make straight rows. If he continually looks back, his work becomes crooked and ineffective. In the same way, a believer who constantly looks back cannot walk effectively in God’s purpose.

God has prepared a path of love, life, and light for His people. To turn away from this path is to reject the very purpose for which we were created. When people turn back, they are not merely changing direction; they are turning away from truth itself.

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The Danger of Returning to the Old Life

“But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” — 2 Peter 2:22

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Returning to the old life is one of the greatest dangers a believer can face. The old life is often remembered in a distorted way. People may recall the pleasures of sin while forgetting its consequences. They remember the excitement but forget the emptiness. They recall the freedom but forget the bondage.

Sin is deceptive by nature. It promises pleasure but delivers pain. It promises freedom but produces slavery. It promises fulfillment but results in emptiness.

When a person returns to sin after experiencing God’s goodness, they place themselves in a position of great spiritual danger. They open the door once again to the influences that God had previously delivered them from. The healing they once received can be lost. The peace they once enjoyed can disappear. The clarity of mind they once had can become clouded by confusion.

God does not desire this for His people. He desires that they continue forward, growing stronger and deeper in their relationship with Him.

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The Deception of Self-Righteousness

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” — Proverbs 14:12

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One of the greatest deceptions that leads people to make spiritual U-turns is self-righteousness. Self-righteousness convinces a person that they can live according to their own standards while still remaining in right standing with God.

This deception is subtle and dangerous. A person may begin to justify their actions, convincing themselves that their choices are acceptable. They may compare themselves to others and conclude that they are still doing well. They may even convince themselves that God understands and approves of their decisions.

However, God’s standards do not change. Truth remains truth, regardless of human opinion. To turn away from God’s ways while claiming to remain in His favor is to live in deception.

Self-righteousness blinds the heart and hardens the conscience. Over time, a person who continues in this deception may lose their sensitivity to God’s voice. What once troubled their conscience may no longer seem important. What once seemed wrong may begin to seem acceptable.

This is the path that leads away from life and toward destruction.

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The Reality of Eternal Consequences

“And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” — Matthew 25:46

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Eternity is a reality that many people prefer not to consider. It is easier to focus on the present moment than to think about the eternal future. However, every choice made in this life carries eternal significance.

Those who turn away from God’s path often fail to consider where their choices will ultimately lead. They focus on temporary comfort while ignoring eternal consequences.

Hell was never intended for humanity, yet it becomes the destination of those who reject God’s salvation. It is a place of regret, sorrow, and separation from God. It is a place where the consequences of earthly choices become fully realized.

The tragedy is that many who end up there once had opportunities to walk in God’s ways. They experienced His goodness. They saw His power. They knew His truth. Yet they chose to turn away.

God’s warnings are not meant to condemn but to protect. He warns because He loves. He calls because He desires salvation, not destruction.

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The Mind of the Spirit Versus the Carnal Mind

“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” — Romans 8:6

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The struggle between the carnal mind and the spiritual mind is a daily reality for every believer. The carnal mind seeks comfort, pleasure, and self-will. The spiritual mind seeks obedience, righteousness, and truth.

Trusting in our own understanding often leads us away from God’s path. Human reasoning is limited and often influenced by selfish desires. What seems right from a human perspective may be completely wrong from God’s perspective.

This is why believers must continually seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God provides wisdom, direction, and strength. He reveals areas where change is needed and provides the power to make those changes.

When believers submit to the Spirit’s guidance, they grow in obedience and maturity. They become stronger and more stable in their walk with God.

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The Blessing of Staying on the Path

“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” — Matthew 24:13

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Those who remain faithful to God’s path experience blessings that cannot be found anywhere else. They experience peace in the midst of trials. They experience joy in the midst of difficulties. They experience hope in the midst of uncertainty.

Staying on the path does not mean that life will be easy. Challenges and trials are part of the journey. However, God’s presence makes the journey worthwhile.

The blessings of God include healing, deliverance, restoration, and protection. These blessings are treasures that should not be taken lightly. They are gifts from a loving God who desires the best for His children.

To remain in God is to remain in life, love, and light.

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Summary

The Kingdom of God is a forward-moving Kingdom that does not allow for spiritual U-turns. Those who turn back from God’s path risk losing the blessings and protections that He has given them. Returning to the old life leads to deception, bondage, and ultimately destruction.

God calls His people to remain faithful and to continue forward in the Way of Jesus Christ. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, believers can overcome the temptations of the old life and grow in obedience and truth.

The choice between life and death, light and darkness, truth and deception is a daily choice. Those who choose God’s way will find life and peace.

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Conclusion

God’s desire is for His people to walk in the fullness of life that He has prepared for them. He has provided a way through Jesus Christ, and that way leads to eternal life.

Turning away from this path is a tragic mistake that carries eternal consequences. However, those who remain faithful will discover that God’s way is the only way that truly satisfies.

The journey may be difficult at times, but it is a journey worth taking. It is a journey that leads to life, love, and light.

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Call to Action

Examine your life and consider whether you are moving forward in God’s ways or looking back toward your old life. If there are areas where you have been tempted to turn back, choose today to continue forward.

Ask God for the strength to remain faithful. Seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and commit yourself fully to the path that God has set before you.

Choose life. Choose truth. Choose the way of Jesus Christ.

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Final Word of Encouragement

God is faithful to those who follow Him. He does not abandon those who seek Him with sincere hearts. Even in moments of weakness, His grace is available to strengthen and restore.

Keep moving forward. Keep trusting Him. Keep walking in His ways.

The path of life is before you, and the rewards of faithfulness are eternal.

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Salvation Prayer

Heavenly Father,

I come before You today in humility and repentance.

I acknowledge that I have sinned and fallen short of Your glory.

I ask You to forgive me for all my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness.

I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son,

That He died for my sins,

And that He rose again for my salvation.

Today I choose to follow Jesus.