Things New and Old: How does a man enter the kingdom of heaven?

Things New and Old

Ancient truths revealed in the Scriptures are often forgotten, disbelieved or distorted, and therefore lost in the passage of time. Such ancient truths when rediscovered and relearned are 'new' additions to the treasury of ancient truths.

Christ showed many new things to the disciples, things prophesied by the prophets of old but hijacked and perverted by the elders and their traditions, but which Christ reclaimed and returned to His people.

Many things taught by the Apostles of Christ have been perverted or substituted over the centuries. Such fundamental doctrines like salvation by grace and justification have been hijacked and perverted and repudiated by sincere Christians. These doctrines need to be reclaimed and restored to God's people.

There are things both new and old here. "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things" 2Ti 2:7.

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

How does a man enter the kingdom of heaven?

I came across a Facebook post posing the question, "How does a man enter the kingdom of heaven?"

I left this brief comment.
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Hi Albertine, you have asked an interesting, and important question.

Let me answer your question this way:

1. Take note that there is a great distinction between the kingdom of heaven and heaven itself. Without making this biblical distinction, there will be inevitable confusion.

(I assume you understand the biblical concept of the kingdom of heaven. The phrase occurs 31 times in the NT, all in the Gospel of Matthew. It is used mainly to indicate the spiritual nature of the kingdom that Christ came to establish in distinction from the earthly theocratic kingdom of Israel. In other gospel accounts, the synonymous phrase "kingdom of God" is used.)

a. A man, in his native state of sin and death, is made fit for heaven SOLELY, WHOLLY and COMPLETELY be the free and sovereign and gracious activities of God, based on the finished work of Jesus Christ, through His Spirit.

b. A man is MADE FIT for heaven, without him doing anything, through God's free and sovereign activity of effectually calling him out of his native state of sin and death to that of grace and salvation in Jesus Christ.

c. To call a man out of his native state of sin and death, God justifies him by applying the righteousness of Christ to him and declares him not guilty but righteous, God regenerates him from spiritual deadness to spiritual life, God adopts him into the divine family and gives him the Spirit of adoption to dwell within him. All these distinct activities occur simultaneously at the effectual calling.

d. "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." The new birth that took place at effectual calling ENABLES a child of God to enter the kingdom of heaven.

2. Having been effectually called and made fit for eternal glory in heaven, such a child of God must exert himself actively IN ORDER to enter the kingdom of heaven.
- Mat 11:12 "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force."
- There are many hindrances and hurdles that must be overcome in order to enter the kingdom of heaven.
- Hindrances and hurdles within include repentance from falsehoods, superstitions, traditions, outward religion, etc., faith in Christ, and obedience to His words.

Mat 5:20 "For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."

The Triune God alone QUALIFY and MAKES a man fit for heaven and eternal glory.

A child of God must strive to make himself fit to enter/be received into the kingdom of heaven.

I hope this helps.

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