Page 96 - TH130 Kingdom of God A4 Final

The Kingdom of God

Entering the Present Kingdom

Jesus talked about certain attitudes and actions necessary for one to
enter the kingdom of God:

Attitudes
Two attitudes Jesus specifically mentioned were humility of heart and
trust in God. Concerning humility of heart, He said, “I tell you the truth,
unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter
the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3;
compare Mark 10:15; Luke 18:17). One
must, therefore, humble himself or
Jesus specifically herself and become like a child to enter

mentioned God’s kingdom.

humility of heart Concerning trust in God, Jesus said to

and trust in God. His disciples, “Children, how hard it is to
enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for
a camel to go through the eye of a needle
than for a rich man to enter the kingdom
of God” (Mark 10:24–25). It is hard for the rich to enter the Kingdom
because they are accustomed to trusting in their riches to get what they
want. Nevertheless, when Jesus’ disciples asked Him, “Who then can be
saved?” He answered, “With man this is impossible, but not with God;
all things are possible with God” (v. 27; compare Matthew 19:23–26;
Luke 18:24–25).

Actions

There are also some specific actions one must take to enter the
Kingdom. Jesus insisted that one must first be born anew. “I tell you the
truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.… No
one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the
Spirit” (John 3:3, 5). To be born again people must do two things: they
must repent of their sins and put their faith in Jesus Christ alone for
salvation (Acts 20:21).

These two elements—repentance and faith—are seen in the preaching
of Jesus and Paul. Jesus began His ministry by saying, “The time has
come.… The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”
(Mark 1:15, emphasis added). Paul told the Ephesian elders, “I have

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