[review previous article] [advance to next article]
     Early in His ministry, Jesus told His disciples.  “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God” (Mark 4:11).  Although the Jews thought they had been God’s kingdom for nearly 1500 years, the kingdom Jesus referred to was yet to come and indeed was a mystery.  We considered the four elements which are the foundation of Jesus kingdom (1) Jesus — sovereign; (2) Royal Edicts — New Testament (NT); (3) Citizens — Christians; (4) Territory — a Christian’s spirit (called the heart).  There are more aspects to this “mystery” which was hidden through the ages (Colossians 1:26).  And which Jesus declared would exist.

     The apostle Paul wrote, “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son” (Colossians 1:13).  That means Christians are in Jesus kingdom.  Yet he also wrote, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom” (2 Timothy 4:18).  So how could Paul be in the kingdom and still look forward to being in it at the same time?

     Being in the kingdom has two dimensions.  When a person is baptized having true faith in Jesus as the Savior, he receives the Holy Spirit along with the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16; 26:18).  The immediate blessing of being baptized into Christ is the forgiveness of sins which brings reconciliation and fellowship between the new Christian and God (Romans 5:8-10; 6:1-4).  Also, Christians are “sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession” (Ephesians 1:13-14).  The inheritance will be the transfer to heaven in the presence of God and also a new spiritual body.  Christians are “eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body” (Romans 8:23; 1 Corinthians 15:35-49).

     That a Christian can not live a life of sin, yet still inherit the kingdom, is clear — “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?  Do not be deceived.  Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:19,10).  Paul goes on to say to the Christians, “And such were some of you” (v11), indicating the Corinthian Christians radical change of lifestyle — true fruit of their repentance.

     Illustrating with a glimpse of judgment day, Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21-23).  He also said the faithful will inherit the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 25:34).

     The masses have deceived themselves (Jeremiah 17:9) thinking they can live as they desire and still go to heaven.  Jesus also warned, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.  Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).  Truth is few are reading the NT to find the One way to heaven.  One does not simply stumble into salvation, it must be seriously sought after.

[review previous article] [advance to next article]