Featured Entering the Kingdom

When God takes an individual out of being "in Adam" and transfers them spiritually into Christ's spiritual body, they are made alive together with Christ. Thus a spiritually "dead" individual is made spiritually alive by the washing of regeneration (regeneration = made alive). Since in an unholy sinful state we are separated from our holy God, the "washing" removes whatever was "unholy" such as what God held against us.

The OT saints did not immediately enter the kingdom when they obtained approval by faith. No, they had to wait in "Abraham's bosom" to be made perfect until after Christ died on the cross.

In Matthew 23:13 Jesus says some individuals were "entering the kingdom" but were prevented from going in.

Thus a process, or sequence of steps, is utilized in order to gain entry. We know the final step, God transfers the person from the realm of darkness into the kingdom of His beloved Son, Colossians 1:13. And we know, from 2 Thessalonians 2:13 that our being set apart (the sanctification by the Spirit) is the action God uses to make His choice of individuals for salvation.

Therefore if God credits our "faith in the truth" as righteous faith, He bestows His gracious blessing of salvation by setting us apart spiritually in Christ.

In summary it can be said that those set apart "believed into the kingdom!" But the action is God's alone, it does not depend upon the person who wills or works to be saved, but only on the monergistic action of God.

 

Once again a question is asked implying I hold obviously false views. Note, no quote is ever used. God does not instill faith or believe for sinners using irresistible grace. He credits our faith, or not, at His sovereign discretion.

Monergism is TAUGHT in Romans 9:16 where salvation does not depend on the person who wills or works (runs) to be saved, but upon God alone. He credits our faith, or not, turning a sows ear into a silk purse. Our faith does not merit, earn, or otherwise supply something worthy of reward (wages) but is according to grace. (Romans 4:16)

 

In Romans 5:2 we find that our faith provides our "access" to the grace in which we stand, referring to the grace of salvation in Christ. The Greek word, translated as "access" or "introduction" is "prosagoge" (G4318) and refers to God's action of considering our faith in the truth, which if credited as righteousness, forms His basis of election of the individual for salvation.

However, the idea that our faith "punches our ticket" and allows entry if we believe the right things in the right way is totally bogus. As an unsaved person, all of works of righteousness (such as our faith) is a filthy (worthless) rag to God. (Titus 3:5, Isaiah 64:6)

 

Romans 9:15-16 NASB)
For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOMEVER I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL SHOW COMPASSION TO WHOMEVER I SHOW COMPASSION.” So then, it [God's mercy and compassion] does not depend on the person who wants it nor the one who runs, but on God who has mercy.

Just read the chapter folks, and when you get to verse 27, take note of the merciful and gracious act of God in view, a choice of service (honorable or common) or salvation?

 

Monergism is TAUGHT in Romans 9:16 where salvation does not depend on the person who wills or works (runs) to be saved, but upon God alone. He credits our faith, or not, turning a sows ear into a silk purse. Our faith does not merit, earn, or otherwise supply something worthy of reward (wages) but is according to grace. (Romans 4:16)

Meyer's NT Commentary
Romans 9:16. Paul now infers from this divine word the doctrine implied in it of the causality of the divine redemption.​

 

Matthew 21:31 (NASB
“Which of the two did the will of his father?” They *said, “The first.” Jesus *said to them, “Truly I say to you that the tax collectors and prostitutes are getting into the kingdom of God before you.

The kingdom of God, the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of His beloved Son are all entered by the sovereign power of God alone. If He does not choose to put you in, bestowing His gracious gift, you will never get in. Pretty basic.

 

Mark 1:15 (NASB)
and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent and put your trust in the gospel.”

Obviously believing in the gospel of Christ provides access to possibly receiving God's indescribable gift.

 

Ephesians 5:5 (NASB)
For this you know with certainty, that no sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, which amounts to an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Once again we see that the kingdom of Christ and the kingdom of God refer to the same place.

 

What is the process or sequence of steps indicated in scripture to access consideration by God of electing the person for salvation. Obviously, the person needs to have "faith in the truth," 2 Thessalonians 2:13. But Matthew 13 describes groups of people whose faith did not get credited by God, so it appears God is not under any obligation to credit someone's faith as righteousness, not even if we have a Doctorate of Theology from Dallas. He knows our heart, and if our love and devotion is not deeply rooted, it does not bode well.

 

Here is a quote from one of this thread's posters:

Romans 5:2. Additionally, we have access to the Grace in which we stand through faith in Jesus. This is “enabling grace” not “salvific grace”. He established in verse one they already have peace with God. The “grace in which we stand” refers to standing firm in the midst of persecution ​

On the surface this claim seems bogus. Certainly, those translocated into Christ's spiritual body are "into this grace in which we stand."

Here is the contrasting view posted:

In Romans 5:2 we find that our faith provides our "access" to the grace in which we stand, referring to the grace of salvation in Christ. The Greek word, translated as "access" or "introduction" is "prosagoge" (G4318) and refers to God's action of considering our faith in the truth, which if credited as righteousness, forms His basis of election of the individual for salvation.

However, the idea that our faith "punches our ticket" and allows entry if we believe the right things in the right way is totally bogus. As an unsaved person, all of works of righteousness (such as our faith) is a filthy (worthless) rag to God. (Titus 3:5, Isaiah 64:6) ​

 

Is "enabling grace" a biblical doctrine? Yes of course! Many verses indicate those born anew have been equipped for service, for good deeds, etc. But these verse are applicable to believers, whereas the bogus claim quoted in post 18 uses the term as applicable to non-believers enabled to believe. No verse or passage ever suggests such action by God. OTOH, one of the fruits of the Spirit is faithfulness!

 

Romans 4:25 (NASB)

He who was delivered over because of our wrongdoings, and was raised because of our justification.​

What is the idea being presented in the phrase, raised because of our justification?

"Because of" is the translators choice for rendering "dia" as the instrument causing the action. Did Christ's resurrection "cause" our justification? Certainly not directly. His sacrificial death provides the means of our reconciliation which includes justification.

So what is the idea? When we choose to trust in Christ for our salvation from the wrath of God, we can be confident because we believe Christ was in fact bodily resurrected from the dead. Thus the resurrection gives us (as the KJV might say) a peg to put the footing of our faith upon.