Is it Necessary to do the Will of the Father to Enter Into the Kingdom of Heaven?

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Webers.Home

Webers.Home

Well-known member
#181
May 28, 2018
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#181
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The Old Testament has quite a bit to say about the kingdom of Heaven, and
so did Jesus in something like thirteen of his parables.

I decided for myself long ago that its venue isn't up. Instead it's down here
on Earth relative to messiah's future jurisdiction as monarch and ruler of the
entire world; which for now is in the hands of the wrong kinds of people.

For example; according to Isa 2:4, messiah intends to put a stop to war.
Well; just look at the kingdom of Heaven's politics today. War is common,
even in the very promised land itself.

Of particular interest to me is the prediction that "neither shall they learn war
anymore". Well; here in my land, kids as young as six are training in martial
arts; and boastful of the fact that they are able to kill somebody with their
bare hands.

My favorite atheist, Christopher Hitchens, once remarked that religion ruins
everything. He was so right. Well, that has to stop, and it will, as Isa 11:9
predicts a one-world religion; and it won't be given lip service, no, it will be
practiced. (Isa 2:2-3)
_
 
Webers.Home

Webers.Home

Well-known member
#182
May 28, 2018
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Oregon
#182
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● Rom 3:23 . . All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God

Well; in my own experience, that statement has been 100% reliable because
I have yet to encounter somebody who I felt was successfully duplicating
God's sinless perfection. So then, I've concluded that God has set the bar so
high that nobody can reach it. His own goodness is the gold standard and,
speaking for myself, I can't even come close to equaling it let alone topping
it.

When I was a young guy coming of age, it occurred to me that if I were as
naturally pleasing to God as His son Jesus always is, then it would be very
easy to attain to Heaven and to stay in Heaven without fear of being kicked
out: that would be the cat's meow.

● John 8:29 . . He that sent me is with me: the Father has not left me alone;
for I do always those things that please Him.
_
 
timemeddler

timemeddler

Active member
#183
Jul 13, 2023
459
204
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#183
Webers.Home said:
.
● Rom 3:23 . . All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God

Well; in my own experience, that statement has been 100% reliable because
I have yet to encounter somebody who I felt was successfully duplicating
God's sinless perfection. So then, I've concluded that God has set the bar so
high that nobody can reach it. His own goodness is the gold standard and,
speaking for myself, I can't even come close to equaling it let alone topping
it.

When I was a young guy coming of age, it occurred to me that if I were as
naturally pleasing to God as His son Jesus always is, then it would be very
easy to attain to Heaven and to stay in Heaven without fear of being kicked
out: that would be the cat's meow.

● John 8:29 . . He that sent me is with me: the Father has not left me alone;
for I do always those things that please Him.
_
Click to expand...
Thank goodness for that, we must try, but nowhere do I read we must attain a perfect score of sinless with god. Best possible human score would "Blameless" like job.
 
D

DJT_47

Well-known member
#184
Oct 20, 2022
1,075
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#184
Doing the "will of the Father" is being obedient. And relative to salvation, this further means you must be obedient to the gospel.
Being obedient to the gospel further infers you must DO something, that something is required of you that equates to your obedience. Hearing the gospel alone is not being obedient. Believing it is also not being totally obedient. Also required is confession of your belief as did the Ethiopian eunuch as recorded in Acts 8 and is consistent with Romans 10:9-10. And too, repentance and baptism are required according to scripture, Acts 2:38. So, belief, confession, repentance, baptism are all necessary according to the scriptures in order to be obedient to the gospel.

Acts:2:38

38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Romans 10:9-10

9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

2 Thessalonians 1:7-9

7And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
 
Webers.Home

Webers.Home

Well-known member
#185
May 28, 2018
5,896
1,084
113
Oregon
#185
.
Webers.Home said:
When I was a young guy coming of age, it occurred to me that if I were as
naturally pleasing to God as His son Jesus always is, then it would be very
easy to attain to Heaven and to stay in Heaven without fear of being kicked
out: that would be the cat's meow.
Click to expand...

I was very surprised, and excited, upon discovering that something very
similar to the thing I wished for is contained in a promise that God made to
Moses' people.

● Ezek 36:24-27 . . I will gather you up from all the nations and bring you
home again to your land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you
will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship
idols. And I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will
put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a
new, obedient heart. And I will put My spirit in you so you will obey My laws
and do whatever I command.

That benefit will make it possible for Moses' people to live with God on earth,
but it isn't sufficient for making it possible for them to live with God in
heaven. However, there is a benefit available that makes it possible for them
to live with God in heaven as well as on earth. It goes like this:

● 2Pet 1:3-4 . . His divine power has given us everything we need for life
and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory
and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious
promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and
escape the corruption that's in the world.

I should think it goes without saying that the divine nature would be a whole
lots more successful at producing an acceptable level of piety than the
human nature could ever hope for because even at its best, the human
nature is corrupt; which is translated from a Greek word basically meaning
decayed, i.e. spoiled, as in gone bad like when raw meat is left out for too
long. Decay can be stopped but it can't be reversed, and therein is a serious
problem with the human nature: it's too far gone. Hence Jesus' statement:

"Do not be surprised that I said you must be born again". (John 3:7)
_
 
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