In order to understand the Kingdom of God, you must understand the foundation, the substance of what the entire Kingdom is built on. So before we go any further, lets stop and make sure we are all standing on a sure foundation.
As a street preacher for some years, I had opportunity to “hear it all.” I often asked people what it took to be saved. Many times I worded it something like this, “So if you died right now and you were asked why you should be allowed into heaven what would you answer?” Most answers were the same:
“I try real hard to be good to people. I don’t hurt anybody.”
“Oh, I ‘ve been going to church since I was little.”
“My Mama is a good Christian. She always makes sure we get to that church.”
“I read my Bible and pray all the time.”
“I give money to the church every Sunday.”
“I ain’t perfect, but I ain’t no Hitler.”
Do you know that all these answers reveal that these people are depending on something that is not related to how one enters heaven? By asking the question, “What does it take to get into heaven,” I am essentially asking, “What does it take to be righteous before God?” Few people understand the question about being righteous, sadly enough, so I have to rephrase the question for them. Their answers are informing me as to what they believe it takes to be righteous before God.
So, if the real question is about being righteous, let’s see what the Bible has to say about man being righteous before God:
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.
Romans 3:21-22
And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.
Romans 4:5
Just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works
Romans 4:6
Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.
Romans 5:18
I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
Galatians 2:21
Not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.
Philippians 3:9
I could go on, but I trust you are getting the point. There is nothing you can do to earn for yourself righteousness before God. There is not some magical moment where you have read your Bible enough, prayed enough, gone to church enough, done enough nice deeds that you cross some magical threshold of salvation. Now, we do these things and they are extremely important in order to be able to function effectively in the Kingdom and we will learn about all of it in time. But these acts do not in themselves earn you salvation.
God Himself gave us a pattern for righteousness in the Old Testament. Only the blood of a perfect lamb would protect the Israelites from death in Exodus 12. Only the blood of a perfect lamb would bring restitution for the sins of the people in the tabernacle. And only the blood of the perfect lamb, God’s Holy One, Jesus Christ, brings righteousness for you today. You must have this foundation in place before you can begin to perceive the Kingdom and function in it. The prerequisite for Kingdom life is this – depending on Jesus Christ for every part of your life. This starts with your very salvation.
Every answer given by those people out on the street indicated they were trusting in their own actions and deeds to be acceptable before God. Rarely do I ever have a response indicating total dependence upon Jesus Christ’s death and Resurrection.
Now the question is turned toward you. Now is the time for you to really assess yourself as to what you truly believe and upon what you are depending for your salvation. What do you believe it takes to be righteous before God?
Lesson 5 – The Kingdom Beyond
To return to the beginning of the teaching series – Introduction, click here
Lesson 1 – A Kingdom Purpose
Lesson 2 – The Importance of Seeking God’s Kingdom
Lesson 3 – Expectations in the Kingdom
