Entering God’s Kingdom

God first tells us of some of the benefits of Kingdom citizenship.

Matthew 6:31-33 KJV

(31) Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

(32) (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

(33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

God has promised us before we enter His Kingdom that He will furnish the necessities of life for His citizens. After identifying as His children and citizens in His Kingdom, we should never worry about these needs. To have any other identity—such as Christianity--- is to disbelieve Christ and disqualifies us from the benefits of Kingdom living today. If you love God but are hungry, naked, and without adequate shelter, begin by correcting your identity first.

God has given us some prerequisites for entering into His Kingdom. The first I will mention is we must be born again.

John 3:3 KJV

(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.

John 3:5-6 KJV

(5) Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

(6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Jesus tells us we could never understand, have, or perceive His Kingdom without our spiritual rebirth.

Jesus also tells us we must actively pursue His Kingdom.

Matthew 6:33 KJV

(33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 11:12 KJV

(12) And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

Seeking the Kingdom first requires passionate effort on our part. It will not fall out of the sky upon us. It is also not a one-time event. We must earnestly pursue a greater understanding and wisdom in living in the Kingdom daily.

God has given us His righteousness, but it does not come preinstalled. We must partner with God to renew our minds and transform our souls, completing our salvation. God calls this working out our salvation.

Philippians 2:12 KJV

(12) Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

God has already given His children and citizens all things needed for life and godliness, but it is up to us to believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths until what we need becomes a reality in our lives.