Who shall enter the Kingdom of God to experience Eternal Life?
Philipose Vaidyar
Do all who believe to be Christians get into heaven? Does
everyone who believes in Jesus receive eternal life or enter into the Kingdom
of God? What did Jesus himself say about it? Jesus spoke about this and warned
his followers and disciples through direct discourses and illustrations.
First, we will see who are Christians and what are the
kinds of Christians. Bible does not talk about Catholics or protestants;
evangelicals or liberals; Pentecostals or Charismatic. But it indeed talks
about three kinds of Christians- Born Christians, Born Again Christians, or
Maturing Christians.
Born Christians: Individuals who were raised in a Christian family or
community and have identified as Christians from birth or were Born
Christians.
They may have been baptized as infants and have been
exposed to Christian teachings and practices from an early age. Their faith may
be rooted in their upbringing and cultural background.
Born Again Christians: Born-again Christians are individuals who have
experienced a personal spiritual transformation or conversion in their lives.
They have made a conscious individual decision to commit their lives to Jesus
Christ and follow the teachings of the Word of God, the Bible. This term
originates from the biblical concept of being "born again" or
"born of the Spirit," as described by Jesus to Nicodemus as seen in
John 3 or by Apostle Paul in the epistles. Born-again Christians often emphasize
the need for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and may have a distinct
before-and-after experience in their faith journey.
Maturing Christians: Maturing Christians are those who are actively
growing and developing in their faith. They have moved beyond a basic understanding
of Christianity and are committed to deepening their knowledge of Scripture,
engaging in spiritual disciplines, and living out the principles and values
taught by Jesus. Maturing Christians seek to apply their faith to various
aspects of life and strive for spiritual maturity, character formation, and
ongoing transformation. They are dedicated to lifelong learning, discipleship,
and serving others, and they actively seek to align their lives with the
teachings of Christ.
How different are they from one another?
Born Christians may practice their faith and religious
traditions without necessarily incorporating the Word of God into their lives.
Born-again Christians are religious and spiritual, having believed in Jesus
Christ and His teachings, often identifying a specific date of their spiritual
rebirth. Maturing Christians not only exhibit religious and spiritual
commitment but also actively cultivate a growing faith, obedience to Jesus'
words, and an intimate relationship with Him. Their growth is evident through
their fruitful actions, enabling others to recognize their maturity.
While not all Christians experience spiritual growth,
some of the born-again Christians often cling to their memorable conversion
experience and the belief in justification by faith alone and the grace of God.
They may rely on this belief throughout their lives without actively seeking
further growth. Although they emphasize forgiveness and justification, they may
downplay the importance of righteous living and good works, which are fruits of
a spiritually committed Christian. While salvation is not achieved through
human effort or religious rituals, it is important to remember that
justification is intended to lead to righteous living and the practice of good
works. So who shall enter the Kingdom of God?
Jesus Christ spoke about this through different parables
and the Apostles further expounded it in the Epistles. They are talking about
the Born-again and Maturing Christians and not about the Born-Christians.
The
parable of the sower and seed (Matthew 13: 1–9, 18–23)
The parable of the sower is an allegorical story that
symbolically conveys the concept of the Kingdom of God. In this parable, each
element of the story represents a deeper meaning, inviting interpretation and
uncovering hidden truths.
The parable talks about four kinds of life and three of
them are pointing to born-again Christians who do not grow and mature. The
fourth kind of life points towards Maturing Christians.
They received the message from the Word. They were
potential to sprout and grow but all of them did not.
Some seed fell on the path and the birds ate it.
The seed on the path represents people who hear the
message, but it is immediately lost. They fail to internalize or retain it,
allowing it to be easily taken away by external factors. The birds symbolize
Satan or the forces of evil. They represent the potential for distractions,
temptations, and influences that can snatch away the message of the Kingdom of
God from those who hear it superficially or without understanding. Some people
don’t live a good Christian life because they are focused on other things.
Born-again Christians can be Pathway Christians who fall away.
Certain seeds fell on rocky ground with shallow soil.
These seeds quickly sprouted, but when the sun rose, its intense heat scorched
the young plants, causing them to wither and die.
The seed that falls on the rocky ground symbolizes
individuals who initially respond to the message of God with enthusiasm but
lack depth in their understanding and commitment. When faced with persecution
or challenging circumstances, represented by the metaphorical sun, they quickly
lose their faith and give up.
Some individuals are initially drawn to the Christian
lifestyle, but they struggle to maintain commitment when faced with challenges
or difficulties. Despite being attracted to the faith at first, they may become
discouraged and give up when confronted with the demands and trials that come
along the way. Born-again Christians still can be dead Christians.
Choked Christians
Some seeds fell among thorn bushes which grew up and
choked the plants.
The thorn bushes choke the message of God. It is heard,
but people’s concern for riches and their worries about life cause the plants
to die.
Certain individuals are excessively preoccupied with the
opinions and judgments of others, leading them to worry excessively. They may
experience jealousy, anger, or an excessive focus on material possessions.
These concerns can hinder their spiritual growth and prevent them from fully
embracing the teachings of the Word of God. Born-again Christians still can be
choked Christians.
Other seeds fell on fertile soil, and as a result, the
plants grew and produced a bountiful harvest.
The good soil represents individuals who not only hear
the message but also internalize and live out its principles in their daily
lives. These individuals receive the message with openness and sincerity,
allowing it to take root and bear fruit through their actions and attitudes.
They embody the ideals and teachings of Christianity, reflecting a genuine
transformation and commitment to living a faithful life.
Despite facing challenges and difficult circumstances,
some individuals demonstrate unwavering faith and remain steadfast in their
commitment to Christ and the Word of God.
Their strong faith empowers them to persevere through
adversity, rely on the teachings and guidance of the Word, and overcome
obstacles. They draw strength from their relationship with God and maintain a
strong dedication to living out their faith, even when faced with trials and
hardships. Born-again Christians should be Growing or Maturing Christians.
Many misunderstand that being Born-again means getting baptized
or being part of an Evangelical or Pentecostal Church. Some even say “we are
born again Church”! Every Church irrespective of the denomination or
theological school of thought can have all these kinds of Born, Born again and
Maturing Christians. Some who accept the gospel can receive it as a vaccine
that creates antibodies and they resist further receiving of the real thing.
The gospel never grows in them.
Read and study the following verses carefully:
1 John 2
15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for
the Father[d] is not in them. 17 The
world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God
lives forever.
24 As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning
remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the
Father. 25 And this is what he promised us—eternal
life.
28 And now, dear children, continue in him,
so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his
coming.
29 If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who
does what is right has been born of him.
John
15
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me
and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do
nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like
a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown
into the fire, and burned.
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now
remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you
will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in
his love.
So
do you and I grow and enter into the Kingdom of God and will have eternal
life?
“Why do
you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? (Luke 6:46)
“Not
everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but
only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 7:21)
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