How should a Christian live in order to enter the kingdom of God?
The Lord, in speaking to Nicodemus, was very clear. He said in John 3:3, “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.” To be ‘born again’ is literally to be ‘born from above.’ This speaks of a new and heavenly birth, one that creates a brand new life. 2 Corinthians 5:17 speaks of that new life. It says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” By being born again, or born from above, we become brand new creatures in the sight of God, and become partakers of the kingdom of God.
Speaking of this new life, the Lord Jesus said in John 10:10, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” The Lord Jesus came into this world to provide us with this new life. This life is offered to us on the basis of His death. The Apostle Paul said in Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” What a remarkable truth! The Lord Jesus, the very Son of God, loved us and offered Himself a sacrifice to God to pay our sin debt and give us new life…life eternal. Speaking of those who have put their faith in Him, the Lord Jesus says in John 10:28, “And I give unto them ETERNAL LIFE; and they shall NEVER PERISH, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”
So, we see it’s not how we LIVE that allows us entrance into the kingdom of God. It’s the fact that we have LIFE that allows us entrance, and that life is in Christ Jesus. The Lord said he GIVES us eternal life. It’s not something to be earned; it’s something to simply be received. We read of this gift in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The Lord has a gift for each one of us…the gift of eternal life. He wants no one to perish, or go to Hell for eternity. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us that the Lord is, “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Have you come to the Lord in repentance of your sins and taken His gift of eternal life by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ? (See Acts 16:31) If you put your faith in Him, He will receive you, give you this new life that comes from being ‘born again’, and make you part of the kingdom of God. (217.4)