Who can enter the Kingdom of God?

[Gideon300]

Read John 3:7, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Matthew 21:31, 2 Peter 1:3-11

The first and most important qualification is to be born again. That is essential even to see the kingdom of God. It's not enough to be upright morally, diligent in good works, studying God's word or even praying. The Pharisee did all these things but they disqualified themselves by their self righteousness.

Paul explained who was disqualified from entering the Kingdom God. That's the negative. As an aside, a lot of believers use 1 Corinthians 6:9 to beat up on homosexuals. I've done that myself. However, I saw that it was just one of a list of sinful behaviours unacceptable to God. And verse 11 gives the answer: some of the Corinthians were that kind of sinner, but they found deliverance in Christ. No one is so deep into sin that he cannot be set free.

The key to entering the Kingdom is obedience to God's revealed will in this life. As I've said before, entrance into the kingdom of God is not the same as entering heaven. Those who are born again have eternal life. God will accept them as His own. But there will be no rewards for those who choose to live for themselves, avoiding the cross and being independent of God.

Lord Jesus said this to the Pharisees (Matthew 21:31). It helps to read the verses around verse 31 also.

 

[shittim]

Thank you brother, comes to mind scripture admonishes us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, I don't a lot of that going on.
Your post is a great reminder to meditate, growing more from the word.
blessings

 

[2ndTimeIsTheCharm]

Paul explained who was disqualified from entering the Kingdom God. That's the negative. As an aside, a lot of believers use 1 Corinthians 6:9 to beat up on homosexuals. I've done that myself. However, I saw that it was just one of a list of sinful behaviours unacceptable to God. And verse 11 gives the answer: some of the Corinthians were that kind of sinner, but they found deliverance in Christ. No one is so deep into sin that he cannot be set free.

I agree! After the list of no-no's it says....

1 Corinthians 6:11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

This verse is so comforting and encouraging! All of us had fallen under any one or more types of sinners that were listed in the previous two verses.

When I was struggling to follow and obey God in my own strength, those previous verses were such a dread to me. But what kept me from giving up wanting to know how to follow God the way He wanted me to was verse 11. And I so much appreciate that God had Paul write that!

 

[JohnDB]

Read John 3:7, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Matthew 21:31, 2 Peter 1:3-11

The first and most important qualification is to be born again. That is essential even to see the kingdom of God. It's not enough to be upright morally, diligent in good works, studying God's word or even praying. The Pharisee did all these things but they disqualified themselves by their self righteousness.

Paul explained who was disqualified from entering the Kingdom God. That's the negative. As an aside, a lot of believers use 1 Corinthians 6:9 to beat up on homosexuals. I've done that myself. However, I saw that it was just one of a list of sinful behaviours unacceptable to God. And verse 11 gives the answer: some of the Corinthians were that kind of sinner, but they found deliverance in Christ. No one is so deep into sin that he cannot be set free.

The key to entering the Kingdom is obedience to God's revealed will in this life. As I've said before, entrance into the kingdom of God is not the same as entering heaven. Those who are born again have eternal life. God will accept them as His own. But there will be no rewards for those who choose to live for themselves, avoiding the cross and being independent of God.

Lord Jesus said this to the Pharisees (Matthew 21:31). It helps to read the verses around verse 31 also.

Justification (what we need to appear blameless before God) is something Jesus provided to those who have faith IN HIM.

Sanctification is the lifelong process of living more like Jesus would. It is a result from believing IN Jesus and not just that He exists.

No amount of sanctification ever has provided anyone at anytime one bit of Justification. Never has and never will according to Paul and James.

Kingdom of Heaven/God....
Work is needed before you should try to speak on these things more.

 

[Gideon300]

Justification (what we need to appear blameless before God) is something Jesus provided to those who have faith IN HIM.

Sanctification is the lifelong process of living more like Jesus would. It is a result from believing IN Jesus and not just that He exists.

No amount of sanctification ever has provided anyone at anytime one bit of Justification. Never has and never will according to Paul and James.

Kingdom of Heaven/God....
Work is needed before you should try to speak on these things more.

You misunderstand. Justification is not the issue, neither is salvation. Christ is our sanctification.

1 Corinthians 1:30 :
It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.

We have, in Christ, everything that we will ever have in the spirit. We are complete in Him, we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. However, what we have in the spirit must be worked out in life. This is what it means to work out our salvation (Philippians 2:12). We don't work to get saved. That is the attitude of the Pharisee.

The parable of the talents applies. The two faithful servants lived in the light of the gift they received from their master. The wicked servant buried his talent in the field. The field represents the world. Those Christians who do not walk in the calling that they have received and prefer to remain attached to the things of the world will suffer loss. Those who seek the Kingdom of God as their priority will be rewarded in the Kingdom.

Too many Christians treat obedience as optional. Well, God won't force us to obey. But there are consequences. We get one shot at this life. It sets us up for eternity. How much better to work for things that are eternal than cling to what is temporary.

 

[JohnDB]

You misunderstand. Justification is not the issue, neither is salvation. Christ is our sanctification.

1 Corinthians 1:30 :
It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.

We have, in Christ, everything that we will ever have in the spirit. We are complete in Him, we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. However, what we have in the spirit must be worked out in life. This is what it means to work out our salvation (Philippians 2:12). We don't work to get saved. That is the attitude of the Pharisee.

The parable of the talents applies. The two faithful servants lived in the light of the gift they received from their master. The wicked servant buried his talent in the field. The field represents the world. Those Christians who do not walk in the calling that they have received and prefer to remain attached to the things of the world will suffer loss. Those who seek the Kingdom of God as their priority will be rewarded in the Kingdom.

Too many Christians treat obedience as optional. Well, God won't force us to obey. But there are consequences. We get one shot at this life. It sets us up for eternity. How much better to work for things that are eternal than cling to what is temporary.

Then you need to specifically define;
Justification
Sanctification

Because the way you are using the terms does not match conventional definitions. And if you are creating new definitions for words....that's going to cause a lot of confusion for everyone.
So exactly what do YOU think those two words mean precisely?

 

[Mikael156]

We must be very thankful we have a bible and have directions on which paths to take, but if anyone believes he knows the calculations of the King of kings, then he is mistaken. For Paul himself did not know of his own salvation. King David, one of the most righteous men to walk the earth, poured out his heart to be saved. Yet on another hand you can have a complete sinner who destroys 1000's of commandments and ethical teachings, yet with true repentance and a sincere heart can enter paradise (the man on the right of Jesus).

We as flesh and blood cannot even begin to judge another person. He has a different mind set, different capabilities and impairments, families prepared by G-d, different environments and so many other factors, all heavenly and divinely set by G-d for that person to fulfill his mission in life. You cannot judge anyone he who does, will be judged by his own measuring stick.

 

[GWH]

Then you need to specifically define;
Justification
Sanctification

Because the way you are using the terms does not match conventional definitions. And if you are creating new definitions for words....that's going to cause a lot of confusion for everyone.
So exactly what do YOU think those two words mean precisely?

And speaking of semantics: an answer to the OP question per my understanding of English and God's plan of salvation
(per Rom. 2:5-11, 1Tim. 2:3-4, John 3:16) is that anyone and everyone CAN = "is able/permitted to" enter the KOG/be saved.

 

[studier]

But there will be no rewards for those who choose to live for themselves, avoiding the cross and being independent of God.

Why "rewards"? Are you saying no entrance into His Kingdom or no rewards in His Kingdom or both?

We have, in Christ, everything that we will ever have in the spirit. We are complete in Him, we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. However, what we have in the spirit must be worked out in life. This is what it means to work out our salvation (Philippians 2:12). We don't work to get saved. That is the attitude of the Pharisee.

What if we translate the word in Phil2:12 with its basic meaning as normally indicated in other verses as "accomplish by work" rather than its unique to the Text "work out"? So, we don't work in any sense of owed wages for our entrance, but we do work to accomplish for wages and rewards once entered? So, we do work at our salvation - to accomplish it?

And the inevitable question arises, eternal security, or OSAS? What if someone believes or is believed to have entered but doesn't work? As you mention, is obedience optional?

 

[Gideon300]

Why "rewards"? Are you saying no entrance into His Kingdom or no rewards in His Kingdom or both?



What if we translate the word in Phil2:12 with its basic meaning as normally indicated in other verses as "accomplish by work" rather than its unique to the Text "work out"? So, we don't work in any sense of owed wages for our entrance, but we do work to accomplish for wages and rewards once entered? So, we do work at our salvation - to accomplish it?

And the inevitable question arises, eternal security, or OSAS? What if someone believes or is believed to have entered but doesn't work? As you mention, is obedience optional?

The age old question again. There are two salvations. Because salvation has become code for "going to heaven when you die", there are times when I prefer the word deliverance. We are either born again or we are not. That is the initial experience that we call salvation. We are saved from the penalty of sin and we become new creations. That all happens in a moment; it is eternal and irreversible.

The gospel of the kingdom is found in Luke 4:18. This is taken from Isaiah 61:1 & 2. This deliverance is a process that takes a lifetime. However, there are some who have experienced what is called the salvation of the soul. This is an expression found in 1 Peter and in James. Some call it progressive sanctification. You will not find that term in the Bible.

Lord Jesus will bring everyone to perfection one day. However, some refuse to let God change them and hold onto sin. The man living with his father's wife is one such example. (1 Corinthians 5:1). Such people are useless in God's kingdom work. They are, if anything, a hindrance.

Those who cooperate with God and obey His leading can be of use as Kingdom workers. God puts His finger on a hindrance and commands us to let go of it. It may seem trivial. For example, I quit competitive table tennis because God said, "Enough". It was going well and it was feeding my pride. My final game won the championship for the team. And that was the last time I played.

I wish that I had been as quick to obey in many other things. Life would have been much easier. But Jesus knows how to deliver us. All He asks is that we be willing to change.

Those who let go of earthly thing will receive rewards in the Kingdom. And that is not always easy. At some time, God will put His finger on the thing most precious to us. It's like our own personal Gethsemane, where God's will and ours are at odds. When we capitulate, great joy and peace results. And we will be useful in God's kingdom in a way that we could not be before.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

“At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18:1-6‬ ‭

 

[Edward429451]

Then you need to specifically define;
Justification
Sanctification

Because the way you are using the terms does not match conventional definitions. And if you are creating new definitions for words....that's going to cause a lot of confusion for everyone.
So exactly what do YOU think those two words mean precisely?

Isn't Sanctification the process of making someone more holy over a period of time?

If we look to the OT we see that God did many things for Israel, and lots of times it was, If my people will do this, then I will do that. So many times we play a part in doing something on our end and when we do then God Sanctification is the same way. We have to participate in our sanctification. The Lord said this,

Romans 12:2
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God..../KJV

When we read our bible we bring ourselves into the presence of God. This is when the Lord is able to get into our inner self and repair the sin damage, change our heart, transform us. Sin did much damage to our souls and it can't be repaired unless we bring ourselves into God's presence by reading the word, studying enough to be approved, meditating on the Lord and the Kingdom of heaven. You have to be there for it to happen. He will sanctify you if you spend enough time with Him!

Now I'm sure we all had our wonderful born again experience at church or wherever we did the altar call, but then when the service is over, we go home and wake up feeling like the same man the next day. So sanctification is a process that begins at that time. Now what to do, I became Christian yesterday? Read that bible and study to show thyself approved, pray unceasingly, (show up for work! Lol!) Then He trains us and teaches us and repairs soul damage and our heart and we become more sanctified over time, as we continue to be in His presence as much as we can. With all that biblical wisdom and truths of God flowing into our flesh and soul, it can't help but to make changes to one's heart.

I think the people who go home after church and fornicate with their girlfriend the next day are in the Lord's presence and you don't get Sanctification poured out on you, you have to work for it. So the people who, wont read the word because of various reasons take your pick, it's unreliable or some other nonsense don't get sanctified.

Be YE transformed by the renewing of your mind...through the washing of the water of the Word. The Lord does the Sanctifying inside of us, and we put ourselves into His presence to give Him the time He needs to repair us!

If my people will...then I will!

 

[Ceph]

Read John 3:7, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Matthew 21:31, 2 Peter 1:3-11

The first and most important qualification is to be born again. That is essential even to see the kingdom of God. It's not enough to be upright morally, diligent in good works, studying God's word or even praying. The Pharisee did all these things but they disqualified themselves by their self righteousness.

Paul explained who was disqualified from entering the Kingdom God. That's the negative. As an aside, a lot of believers use 1 Corinthians 6:9 to beat up on homosexuals. I've done that myself. However, I saw that it was just one of a list of sinful behaviours unacceptable to God. And verse 11 gives the answer: some of the Corinthians were that kind of sinner, but they found deliverance in Christ. No one is so deep into sin that he cannot be set free.

The key to entering the Kingdom is obedience to God's revealed will in this life. As I've said before, entrance into the kingdom of God is not the same as entering heaven. Those who are born again have eternal life. God will accept them as His own. But there will be no rewards for those who choose to live for themselves, avoiding the cross and being independent of God.

Lord Jesus said this to the Pharisees (Matthew 21:31). It helps to read the verses around verse 31 also.

Pharisees weren't upright. They treated Gods word as a vanity for their flesh, doing everything for strife & contentention and placing the commandments of men over God.
By then they were using their book of rabbinical opinions—the talmud—to interpret Gods word instead of the Holy Spirit.

 

[Prycejosh1987]

I think the kingdom of God is a prerequisite into entering into the kingdom of heaven, many are called but few are chosen.

 

[JohnDB]

Isn't Sanctification the process of making someone more holy over a period of time?

If we look to the OT we see that God did many things for Israel, and lots of times it was, If my people will do this, then I will do that. So many times we play a part in doing something on our end and when we do then God Sanctification is the same way. We have to participate in our sanctification. The Lord said this,

Romans 12:2
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God..../KJV

When we read our bible we bring ourselves into the presence of God. This is when the Lord is able to get into our inner self and repair the sin damage, change our heart, transform us. Sin did much damage to our souls and it can't be repaired unless we bring ourselves into God's presence by reading the word, studying enough to be approved, meditating on the Lord and the Kingdom of heaven. You have to be there for it to happen. He will sanctify you if you spend enough time with Him!

Now I'm sure we all had our wonderful born again experience at church or wherever we did the altar call, but then when the service is over, we go home and wake up feeling like the same man the next day. So sanctification is a process that begins at that time. Now what to do, I became Christian yesterday? Read that bible and study to show thyself approved, pray unceasingly, (show up for work! Lol!) Then He trains us and teaches us and repairs soul damage and our heart and we become more sanctified over time, as we continue to be in His presence as much as we can. With all that biblical wisdom and truths of God flowing into our flesh and soul, it can't help but to make changes to one's heart.

I think the people who go home after church and fornicate with their girlfriend the next day are in the Lord's presence and you don't get Sanctification poured out on you, you have to work for it. So the people who, wont read the word because of various reasons take your pick, it's unreliable or some other nonsense don't get sanctified.

Be YE transformed by the renewing of your mind...through the washing of the water of the Word. The Lord does the Sanctifying inside of us, and we put ourselves into His presence to give Him the time He needs to repair us!

If my people will...then I will!

So....are you saying you are unfamiliar with these terms?

If so....
Please review my first post as I did explain the functions of them....


Justification: is a legal process where crimes are paid for by some means. It can be a fine, term of incarceration, or in the case of a capital crime, execution.
For Christians and God the penalty of sin/crime is death. However this penalty has been fully paid by Jesus. We access this justification through belief and faith IN Jesus's life, death, and ressurection.

Sanctification is a process of transforming your life to resemble Jesus's life as He modeled how to live.

Phillipians 2:12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

2Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness

 

[homwardbound]

Read John 3:7, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Matthew 21:31, 2 Peter 1:3-11

The first and most important qualification is to be born again. That is essential even to see the kingdom of God. It's not enough to be upright morally, diligent in good works, studying God's word or even praying. The Pharisee did all these things but they disqualified themselves by their self righteousness.

Paul explained who was disqualified from entering the Kingdom God. That's the negative. As an aside, a lot of believers use 1 Corinthians 6:9 to beat up on homosexuals. I've done that myself. However, I saw that it was just one of a list of sinful behaviours unacceptable to God. And verse 11 gives the answer: some of the Corinthians were that kind of sinner, but they found deliverance in Christ. No one is so deep into sin that he cannot be set free.

The key to entering the Kingdom is obedience to God's revealed will in this life. As I've said before, entrance into the kingdom of God is not the same as entering heaven. Those who are born again have eternal life. God will accept them as His own. But there will be no rewards for those who choose to live for themselves, avoiding the cross and being independent of God.

Lord Jesus said this to the Pharisees (Matthew 21:31). It helps to read the verses around verse 31 also.

You are being revealed what is new and yet not new, from God to you, I love it, thanking God all in all

 

[Edward429451]

Sanctification is a process of transforming your life to resemble Jesus's life as He modeled how to live.

So....Become more Holy! Yes sir.

 

[Edward429451]

Justification: is a legal process where crimes are paid for by some means. It can be a fine, term of incarceration, or in the case of a capital crime, execution.
For Christians and God the penalty of sin/crime is death. However this penalty has been fully paid by Jesus. We access this justification through belief and faith IN Jesus's life, death, and ressurection.

I agree with this also. I thought everybody new that one, lol.

 

[Webers.Home]

.
One day at work I asked an experienced Jehovah's Witness if he was born of
the Spirit in accord with John 3:3-8. He answered no; and added that he
didn't expect to undergo the Spirit birth in either this life or the next because
his hope is a kingdom on Earth rather than up in Heaven.

The JW was somehow unaware that Jesus' discussion with Nicodemus didn't
pertain to a kingdom above, rather, to a kingdom below.

● John 3:12 . . . If I have told you earthly things and yet you do not believe,
how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

It's both tragic and ironic that the Watchtower Society's rank and file
missionaries go worldwide advertising a kingdom that they themselves will
never be allowed to enter-- not because they didn't work hard enough to
deserve it, but simply because they were led to believe themselves exempt
from the Spirit birth.

However, there are no exemptions because the birth isn't optional, rather,
it's required.

● John 3:7 . . You should not be surprised at my saying you must be born
again
_

 

[2ndTimeIsTheCharm]

.
One day at work I asked an experienced Jehovah's Witness if he was born of
the Spirit in accord with John 3:3-8. He answered no; and added that he
didn't expect to undergo the Spirit birth in either this life or the next because
his hope is a kingdom on Earth rather than up in Heaven.

The JW was somehow unaware that Jesus' discussion with Nicodemus didn't
pertain to a kingdom above, rather, to a kingdom below.

● John 3:12 . . . If I have told you earthly things and yet you do not believe,
how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

It's both tragic and ironic that the Watchtower Society's rank and file
missionaries go worldwide advertising a kingdom that they themselves will
never be allowed to enter-- not because they didn't work hard enough to
deserve it, but simply because they were led to believe themselves exempt
from the Spirit birth.

However, there are no exemptions because the birth isn't optional, rather,
it's required.

● John 3:7 . . You should not be surprised at my saying you must be born
again
_

Wow, I didn't know that about Jehovah Witnesses! It really IS tragic. I will pray for them, that some will come to know and accept the truth and so be truly saved.