Who will enter the Kingdom of Heaven?
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live a surrendered life to the will of God. Understanding God is after our new hearts , obedience to Him begins with Learning to love God as he first loved us. When we see continually just how much God loves us in unending and deepening ways we can then take a step of faith and let go of our grip on the things of this world and our attempts to control the things around us . In doing so we will begin to choose humility over pride, love in place of anger and resentment , blessing in place of cursing, Out of this growing relationship and intimacy with Christ through the spiritual disciplines we will increasingly experience His joy become the kind of people who’s character is inwardly transformed . One where the illustrations in the discourse on the hill naturally flow out of our being and life without a thought to it they become nature to us like breathing or eye blinking. The love and goodness naturally then flow from our transformed hearts and minds. These are then the works that continues on into eternity where we are rewarded.
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quote""In James 2:19, we see that the demons believe "mental assent" that "there is one God" but they do not believe in/have faith in/trust in/reliance in Jesus Christ for salvation (which is what it means to believe in Christ unto salvation).::
you quoted from James 2:12-26 which says that faith without works is dead; Interesting.
in essence if you are a believer and you do the father's will you will be saved
Faith Without Works Is Dead
Jas 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Jas 2:15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
Jas 2:16 If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?
Jas 2:17 So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead.
Jas 2:18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.
Jas 2:19 You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
Jas 2:20 O foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is worthless?
Jas 2:21 Was not our father Abraham justified by what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
Jas 2:22 You see that his faith was working with his actions, and his faith was perfected by what he did.
Jas 2:23 And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God.
Jas 2:24 As you can see, a man is justified by his deeds and not by faith alone.
Jas 2:25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute justified by her actions when she welcomed the spies and sent them off on another route?
Jas 2:26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
Yes demons believe in Jesus and God but will not do the father's will as they rebelled. just like you mentioned, this is true they have no love for him. Because they Hate God they will not obey and do his will. the point I want to make is that simple belief is not enough, action and obedience to Christ's teachings are also essential, they demonstrate that you love Jesus and the father who sent him.
see the parable below from Jesus;
The Parable of the Two Sons
Mat 21:28 But what do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first one and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
Mat 21:29 ‘I will not,’ he replied. But later he changed his mind and went.
Mat 21:30 Then the man went to the second son and told him the same thing. ‘I will, sir,’ he said. But he did not go.
Mat 21:31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.
Mat 21:32 For John came to you in a righteous way and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
Simple belief is not enough, you must show it;
Salt and Light
Mat 5:13 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its savor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
Mat 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Mat 5:15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
Mat 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
I have more to say and will do so in other posts,
Blessings.
you quoted from James 2:12-26 which says that faith without works is dead; Interesting.
in essence if you are a believer and you do the father's will you will be saved
Faith Without Works Is Dead
Jas 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Jas 2:15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
Jas 2:16 If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?
Jas 2:17 So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead.
Jas 2:18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.
Jas 2:19 You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
Jas 2:20 O foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is worthless?
Jas 2:21 Was not our father Abraham justified by what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
Jas 2:22 You see that his faith was working with his actions, and his faith was perfected by what he did.
Jas 2:23 And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God.
Jas 2:24 As you can see, a man is justified by his deeds and not by faith alone.
Jas 2:25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute justified by her actions when she welcomed the spies and sent them off on another route?
Jas 2:26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
Yes demons believe in Jesus and God but will not do the father's will as they rebelled. just like you mentioned, this is true they have no love for him. Because they Hate God they will not obey and do his will. the point I want to make is that simple belief is not enough, action and obedience to Christ's teachings are also essential, they demonstrate that you love Jesus and the father who sent him.
see the parable below from Jesus;
The Parable of the Two Sons
Mat 21:28 But what do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first one and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
Mat 21:29 ‘I will not,’ he replied. But later he changed his mind and went.
Mat 21:30 Then the man went to the second son and told him the same thing. ‘I will, sir,’ he said. But he did not go.
Mat 21:31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.
Mat 21:32 For John came to you in a righteous way and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
Simple belief is not enough, you must show it;
Salt and Light
Mat 5:13 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its savor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
Mat 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Mat 5:15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
Mat 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
I have more to say and will do so in other posts,
Blessings.
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Authentic belief/faith in Christ is enough. (John 3:15,16,18; Acts 10:43; 16:31; Rimans 4:5-6; 5;1; Ephesians 2:8,9 etc..).
In regard to James 2:14-26, in verse 14, we read of one who says/claims (key word) he has faith but has no works (to evidence his claim). That is not genuine faith, but a bare profession of faith. So, when James asks, "Can that faith save him?" he is saying nothing against genuine faith, but only against an empty profession of faith/dead faith.
So, James does not teach that we are saved "by" works. His concern is to show the reality of the faith professed by the individual (James 2:18) and demonstrate that the faith claimed (James 2:14) by the individual is genuine.
James is discussing the evidence of faith (says-claims to have faith but has no works/I will show you my faith by my works - James 2:14-18) and not the initial act of being accounted as righteous with God. (Romans 4:2-3) Works bear out the justification that already came by faith.
In regard to James 2:14-26, in verse 14, we read of one who says/claims (key word) he has faith but has no works (to evidence his claim). That is not genuine faith, but a bare profession of faith. So, when James asks, "Can that faith save him?" he is saying nothing against genuine faith, but only against an empty profession of faith/dead faith.
So, James does not teach that we are saved "by" works. His concern is to show the reality of the faith professed by the individual (James 2:18) and demonstrate that the faith claimed (James 2:14) by the individual is genuine.
James is discussing the evidence of faith (says-claims to have faith but has no works/I will show you my faith by my works - James 2:14-18) and not the initial act of being accounted as righteous with God. (Romans 4:2-3) Works bear out the justification that already came by faith.
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Again, in prayer, Confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart God raised Jesus from the dead; and you will be saved.
again, pray, without pride, without will. and ask Jesus into your heart. Get on your knees and pray with earnest. stop, drop, and roll does not work in Hell.
again, pray, without pride, without will. and ask Jesus into your heart. Get on your knees and pray with earnest. stop, drop, and roll does not work in Hell.
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We follow his teaching because we have Christ within us to guide us. You can follow his teachings and do the work Christ tells us to do, but only because it is your own will, and that doesn't work. When Christ is invited to be within us, when we accept Christ with love, we are born again. Our will is given over to Christ, and we have a new life that is eternal.
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Every kingdom has a king or ruler. Otherwise, no kingdom exists. The kingdom of heaven is the place where God rules. Wherever you find people doing the will of God, you have found the kingdom of God.
Since we all enter this world dead, being dominated by Satan, and doomed...Ephesians 2:1-3...we need a way out of the kingdom of darkness. Thankfully, God has made a way...Ephesians 2:4-10. Viola, we are translated out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of God.
This is done by the work of the Holy Spirit and involves the very real coming of God to an individual whereby a person is reconciled to God and made a partaker of the divine nature. The Holy Spirit remains in them and by Him walk according to the will of God...the kingdom of God in you.
Since we all enter this world dead, being dominated by Satan, and doomed...Ephesians 2:1-3...we need a way out of the kingdom of darkness. Thankfully, God has made a way...Ephesians 2:4-10. Viola, we are translated out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of God.
This is done by the work of the Holy Spirit and involves the very real coming of God to an individual whereby a person is reconciled to God and made a partaker of the divine nature. The Holy Spirit remains in them and by Him walk according to the will of God...the kingdom of God in you.
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I am sympathetic to your position, but we still have to remember Romans 4.
“Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:”
Romans 4:4-6 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.4.4-6.ESV
Also, think about the analogy in James 2:26.
“For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”
James 2:26 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/jas.2.26.ESV
What happens to a body when it is dead? It is unproductive. It begins to decay. You could say it becomes a burden for the living. However, it’s still a real body. It does not cease to exist.
So, according to the analogy given, a dead faith can still be real and exist.
“Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:”
Romans 4:4-6 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.4.4-6.ESV
Also, think about the analogy in James 2:26.
“For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”
James 2:26 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/jas.2.26.ESV
What happens to a body when it is dead? It is unproductive. It begins to decay. You could say it becomes a burden for the living. However, it’s still a real body. It does not cease to exist.
So, according to the analogy given, a dead faith can still be real and exist.
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“and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.”
1 John 3:22-24 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/1jn.3.22-24.ESV
1 John 3:22-24 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/1jn.3.22-24.ESV
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Especially since the Father's will is that you believe...
I trust various scriptures will be brought to remembrance as I state the following:
As Ecclesiastes concluded, "vanity, vanity, all is vanity." That is, not only are all our good works vanity but also all our bad works, hence the "all" in "all is vanity, except of course, for the whole man, who is made whole by his faith in God for his salvation.
I trust various scriptures will be brought to remembrance as I state the following:
As Ecclesiastes concluded, "vanity, vanity, all is vanity." That is, not only are all our good works vanity but also all our bad works, hence the "all" in "all is vanity, except of course, for the whole man, who is made whole by his faith in God for his salvation.
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JOHN 3: CONDITIONS FOR ENTERING THE KINGDOM OF GOD (KINGDOM OF HEAVEN)
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
"Water" here is a metaphor for the Word of God, and specifically the Gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation. The Gospel causes sinners to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As a result they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Then the Holy Spirit supernaturally regenerates believers. And they are born of the Spirit, born of God, born from above, and born again. They have now entered the Kingdom of God and can also see it.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
"Water" here is a metaphor for the Word of God, and specifically the Gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation. The Gospel causes sinners to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As a result they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Then the Holy Spirit supernaturally regenerates believers. And they are born of the Spirit, born of God, born from above, and born again. They have now entered the Kingdom of God and can also see it.
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Hello Nehemiah6
Who was Jesus speaking to? He was speaking to man that was alive, born of his mother from her womb. Her 'water broke' and he issued forth. Jesus tells this man that he must also be born from above (of the Spirit) to see the kingdom of God. ("born again" in the Greek is ‘born from above' - Strong's #509).
The man, Nicodemus then speaks of the womb and Jesus does not correct him. Jesus acknowledges that man will not go through the womb for this second birth.
Jesus then removes all difficulty for us by telling Nicodemus in verse 6: "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." Water baptism, while important, was simply not the subject in this Scripture. For water Baptism does not make one "born of the flesh," but the birth from the amniotic fluid of the womb does.
In verse 10 above, Jesus acknowledges that Nicodemus is a ‘master of Israel', i.e., a teacher of the Law (Torah - Old Testament). Jesus chastised Nicodemus for not knowing the thing that Jesus was telling him. Jesus expected Nicodemus to know of the spiritual re-birth from the OLD TESTAMENT, for Nicodemus had not seen the New Testament which was not written for years after this day. In the Old Testament this new birth of the Spirit is written of, the Prophets of old foretold of this marvelous work of God that was to be done. Below are two Scriptural allusions to this spiritual birth (born again, i.e., born from above):
Who was Jesus speaking to? He was speaking to man that was alive, born of his mother from her womb. Her 'water broke' and he issued forth. Jesus tells this man that he must also be born from above (of the Spirit) to see the kingdom of God. ("born again" in the Greek is ‘born from above' - Strong's #509).
AGAIN: Greek word #509 anothen (an'-o-then);from 507; from above; by analogy, from the first; by implication, anew: KJV-- from above, again, from the beginning (very first), the top.
Jesus then removes all difficulty for us by telling Nicodemus in verse 6: "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." Water baptism, while important, was simply not the subject in this Scripture. For water Baptism does not make one "born of the flesh," but the birth from the amniotic fluid of the womb does.
John 3:3-10
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. [no mention of water Baptism here! The "water" from the above verse is the "flesh" in this verse]
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind ['The 'Spirit' in the Greek, with the article, i.e., The Holy Spirit. - Strong's # 4154 pneuma]bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit ['The 'Spirit' in the Greek, with the article, i.e., The Holy Spirit. - Strong's # 4154 pneuma] .
9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? (KJV)
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. [no mention of water Baptism here! The "water" from the above verse is the "flesh" in this verse]
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind ['The 'Spirit' in the Greek, with the article, i.e., The Holy Spirit. - Strong's # 4154 pneuma]bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit ['The 'Spirit' in the Greek, with the article, i.e., The Holy Spirit. - Strong's # 4154 pneuma] .
9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? (KJV)
Ezek 11:19
19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: (KJV)
Ps 51:5-13
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: (KJV)
Ps 51:5-13
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Just look at the reasons why God made his grace available to us, and you will have your answer.
Titus 2:11-15
"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee."
Cue the naysayers and gatekeepers...
Titus 2:11-15
"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee."
Cue the naysayers and gatekeepers...