Why be good in this life?

Why can’t we just accept Jesus, live as we like and when we die we are automatically part of God’s eternal Kingdom and become citizens in the new heaven and earth?  It is because of the following verse, 

‘He [God] has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of the Son He loves….’  Colossians 1:13a

People saved by Jesus already live as citizens of the Kingdom.  Jesus explained that the Kingdom is still invisible in this life.  

‘…the Kingdom of God is within you.’  Luke 17:21b  

It is in the age to come that it will be visible but God’s standard remains the same, 

‘…without holiness no one will see the Lord.’  Hebrews 12:14b

One can claim to be a follower of Jesus and invade a country and cause the deaths of thousands or be a leader and promote what God hates.  Yet all people will appear before the Judge, Jesus Christ, and His judgment will be fair.  He will not give preferential treatment however high and mighty you are.

‘…each person was judged according to what he had done.’  Revelation 20:13b

The Eternal Marriage

The war about same sex marriages, transgenderism and all its many varieties, seems to be endless – and vicious.  To claim that God made male and female is regarded as the most serious sin ever,

‘So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.’  Genesis 1:27

However, we are not to forget the distinction between the Kingdom of God/Light, and the kingdom of Satan/darkness.  Those who belong to the Kingdom of God, understand that God is the Creator.  People created in His image are ‘small creators,’    

”God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth….’  Genesis 1:28

The miracle is that a man and a woman can create another living being.  So Adam and Eve had children, Cain, Abel, Seth and many others.  

God’s people belong to the Kingdom of God.  Marriage remains, even eternally, as seen in the Bridegroom, Jesus, and His Bride, the elect.  But Jesus’ enemy, Satan, hates marriage.  He relentlessly attacks it because it points to the heavenly eternal Marriage.  

Conclusion

Marriage is God’s design, and will last eternally with our precious Bridegroom, Jesus. 

What about our leaders?

We live in good times and in terrible times.  It is heart wrenching to watch what goes on in the world.  However, in the end, we will all appear before the Judgment Throne.  We will give an account of what we did while on earth.  

How does God regard a leader who claims to be a practicing member of this or that church?  Yet that same leader invades an unsuspecting country and is responsible for the death of thousands?  Or a leader who is guilty of lying or corruption?  Yet he/she claims to be a ‘Christian?’  Will God grant them special forgiveness because they were leaders with heavy responsibility?  According to the Bible, God/Jesus: 

• Has no favorites. 
• Will judge based on what a person did.  
• Judgment is not based on what a person claims.    

Scripture is very clear, 

‘Without holiness, no one will see the Lord.’  Hebrews 12:6 

Holiness excludes murder, war, lies, corruption, et cetera.  Those things will never be tolerated in God’s Kingdom.  The simple reason is that such things will endanger God’s people.  The Kingdom is centered on God and therefore on love, peace, harmony and fellowship.  

Conclusion

God commands us to pray for our leaders.  They are in great danger.