God seeks for men and women to be part of His Kingdom, but to do so, they must submit to Jesus as King. There is a “fallen nature” within every person that causes sin. It is universal, and all mankind is under its shadow of death.

Christ came to save the lost, and when we put our faith in God, repent, and believe in Jesus Christ, we are given the gift to become God’s child. (Matthew 18:11). We will be “born again” by God’s Spirit.

The Spiritual Rebirth

Jesus talked with Nicodemus and helped him to have faith to understand this truth. He told Nicodemus that he had to be born from above by God’s Spirit and explained it as a spiritual rebirth. (John 1:12, 3:16-17). The apostle Peter also spoke of it. (1 Peter 1:23).

There are many people who have some kind of belief in God but are not born by his Spirit. To experience this rebirth, we have to accept God’s Son in an individual manner with a personal decision on our part. We become his children when we receive his Spirit through his Son. We thereby receive the “Spirit of adoption”. (Romans 8:15, Ephesians 1:5, Galatians 4:5-6). 

Repentance and the Way to the Kingdom

God created all mankind but relates as Father only to those who are born as his children. We are all sinners and sin cannot enter the Kingdom of God. However, all who repent and receive Jesus as Lord are welcome, and by doing so we are born into his family. Jesus said this is the only way to enter his Kingdom. 

Those not willing to repent cannot enter for nothing impure gets in. Repentance is the only way in. It is impossible for people to enter unless they repent. When Jesus died on the cross, he opened the way into the Kingdom of God. He became the gateway for forgiveness and acceptance. 

The Example of the Two Thieves

On each side of Jesus hung a thief and they represented the two ways of humanity. The one ends in loss and death, the other in Paradise. At the very doors of death, one of the sinners entered God’s Kingdom. 

What a miracle! Right then at the closing moments of his earthly life he received God’s grace and mercy, was redeemed, forgiven and entered into the Kingdom.

How did he do it? He cried out to the King of that Kingdom and said “Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” As he watched Jesus suffering, he at first mocked him. However, he had a “change of mind” and believed. (Matthew 27:44, Luke 23:40-43). This is repentance – a “change of mind”.

The Price of Redemption

Jesus came to redeem the souls of men and women; this was the reason why he suffered on the cross. By dying, he paid the price, with his blood, for the salvation of sinners. His death was foretold long ago in precise detail. (Isaiah 53)

Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15, Romans 5:8-11, John 3:16-17). He did what no other person could do and that was to pay our penalty for sin and having suffered and died he came back to life so that through him we could have eternal life. 

Salvation Through Jesus

The Bible says, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Joel 2:32, Romans 10:8-13). Only Jesus can offer salvation and open God’s Kingdom. He is the King, and if you want to be part of His Kingdom, you must personally, by faith and deliberate purpose, receive Him as Lord.

When you crown him as Lord and receive him in your heart, his Spirit comes in, and he lives within you, and he brings with him the reality and potential of his kingdom. When you receive Jesus, then all of his kingdom and glory is included. 

Experiencing the Kingdom Now

One day God’s kingdom will rule over all things but if you want to be part of it, you must first receive him into your heart. Repentance and confession are the keys that open the way for forgiveness, and everything else God wants you to have.

His Kingdom does not come outwardly but inwardly. (Luke 17:20-21). When Jesus came, he was not welcomed with fanfare and trumpets, royal robes and worldly splendour. He was received only by those who gave him their hearts. 

The Simplicity of Faith

There is no other way to enter the Kingdom apart from yielding your life to Him. It is not based on religion, philosophy, ritual, or ceremony. It does not come by baptism, confirmation, or any self-effort. It comes by receiving Him as Lord in the simplicity of child-like faith and trust.

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth. Anyone who will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will not enter it.” We need to receive Christ as a child receives a gift.

A Foretaste of Heaven

By doing this the gift of God becomes a reality in the life of individuals. God gives us salvation through his Son. First and foremost, God’s Kingdom comes into the hearts of men and women. The Bible describes his Kingdom as one of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. 

These are things that mankind is desperately needing and unable to attain and that only God can give. Peace is elusive. Once Christ the “Prince of Peace” was crucified, war on this planet was inevitable. There can be no peace in the hearts of men or on earth until the Prince of Peace rules supreme. 

A New Creation in Christ

Christ alone brings peace to the sin-tossed hearts of men and women. People desperately search for happiness and yet reject the fountain and source of all lasting joy – God himself. It is the Holy Spirit who provides these things through a spiritual rebirth in which God creates a completely new person. (2 Corinthians 5:17). 

By his Spirit he breathes his own nature into us and enables us to live life in his Kingdom. We have a foretaste of heaven on earth. We are delivered from sin to live as a child of God and a citizen of Heaven. 

The Kingdom Now and to Come

One day, God will establish His Kingdom on earth, but we can personally experience it now.

Join me as we continue on a journey through “A Life of Faith.”

Thy Kingdom Come:

Episode 4: You Can Live in His Kingdom Now

Episode 5: God’s Kingdom Will Fill the Earth