Because the first man, Adam, disobeyed God and sinned, all of us are born in sin and are in the spiritual kingdom of darkness. It is of utmost importance that we enter the Kingdom of light which is also the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven.
The theme of the message of John the Baptist and then Jesus Christ was, 'Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.' This means that the door is open for us to enter. Just as we are born into an earthly kingdom, we need to be born again into this spiritual Kingdom. Firstly, we need to recognize our sinful nature. The Spirit of God, who operates on the earth, Who is referred to as the Holy Spirit, brings us to this conviction. When we acknowledge our weakness and hopelessness, He gives us hope through the knowledge of Jesus Christ. God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, into this world 2000 years ago. He suffered and died on the cross as a criminal, although He was sinless. He took the punishment for our sins upon Himself so that we can recieve forgiveness from God through Him. God raised Him up on the 3rd day and He ascended to Heaven, and is now seated with God. When we respond to the conviction of sin in us and humble ourselves and repent of our sins, we recieve the wonderful gift of forgiveness for all our sins. With this gift of grace, the Holy Spirit enters our hearts, filling our hearts with God's love and peace. A connection is established with God, our Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ. We are now born into the Kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit now continues to guide us from within, as we hear and obey Him by faith. The Holy Spirit in us also gives us understanding of the Word of God, which is the Bible. Diligent study of the Bible strengthens our faith and establishes us in the Kingdom of light.
Scripture References:
- Matthew 3:1-2 (NKJV)
1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
2 and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"Â - Matthew 4:17 (NKJV)
17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." - John 3:3-8 (NKJV)
3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"
5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'
8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." - Romans 5:1-21 (NKJV)
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned--
13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.
15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.
16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification.
17 For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)
18 Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.
19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous.
20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,
21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
You can enter the Kingdom of God here and now. In your own words you can pray in line with the following prayer:
Father God, I come to you just as I am, in Jesus' name, to ask for Your help. I am sorry that I have sinned against You. I repent and turn from my sins. I ask You to please forgive my rebellion and all the things that I have done which have hurt You and others. I forgive my parents, family, friends, and all others who have hurt me and whom I have blamed or rebelled against for the things that have gone wrong in my life.
I believe in my heart that Jesus of Nazareth is Your Son and that He is alive, although crucified for me and for all mankind. Lord Jesus, thank you for dying for me on the Cross, for experiencing all that pain, hurt, shame, humiliation and rejection so that I might be forgiven, healed and have Eternal Life. Such love is too wonderful for me to fully understand and I am amazed at how you forgave even those who tortured You. Please forgive me too Lord Jesus and cover and cleanse me with Your precious blood. I accept and believe that, although You died, You were resurrected by Your Father in human flesh, were seen by many witnesses, and that You now sit at your Father's right hand side in Heaven. Jesus, You are alive to save me right now. I invite You into my life and I accept You as my Lord God and Saviour. I confess aloud that "Jesus Christ is my Lord."
I give You my entire self, Lord Jesus. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I may have Your love in my heart. I renounce Satan and his evil spirits and all their works. I thank You, Lord Jesus.
I love You and praise You, Lord Jesus.
I shall follow You every day of my life.
Amen.
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