"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and
all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:33).
Salvation through Jesus' life, death and resurrection is central to the
gospel message. Jesus Christ died, was buried and was resurrected for a
reason: so we could inherit everlasting life in the Kingdom of God (John 3:16). This astounding part of the gospel—the entering into the Kingdom
of God—is the aspect so few understand. It is synonymous with salvation.
Without understanding this part of the gospel, one cannot understand what
salvation is. Do you know how to enter this Kingdom, to attain the salvation
of which the Bible speaks?
Entering the very family of God!
What will salvation—eternal life in the Kingdom of God—really
mean to those who receive it? We have seen that salvation is the transformation
from a fleshly, mortal human to an immortal son of God. Notice how the
book of Hebrews expresses it: "In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting
that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the
author of their salvation perfect through suffering. Both the one who makes
men holy [Christ] and those who are made holy [repentant and converted
human beings] are of the same family" (Hebrews 2:10,11, NIV).
Have you ever grasped this before? Those who enter the Kingdom of God
are all "of the same family"—God's family! All are God's children,
brought "to glory"—a glorified state of immortal spirit (1 Corinthians 15:42-44)-by Him. This is what salvation is all about. "So Jesus is not
ashamed to call them brothers. He says, 'I will declare your name to my
brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises'
. . . 'And again he says, 'Here am I, and the children God has given me'" (Hebrews 2:11-13, NIV).
