Last Sunday, I taught from Matthew 19:13-30. This passage is predominently about the rich man who comes to Jesus and asks, “What good deed must I do to have eternal life?” The man’s question demonstrates that he misunderstands how someone enters the kingdom of God, and that he misunderstands the focus of those in the kingdom of God.
As Jesus says later, it is impossible for someone to enter the kingdom of God on their own abilities. However, he also says, “With God, all things are possible.” Our entry into the kingdom of God is not dependent upon our actions, but is completely dependent upon God’s grace.
However, for those in God’s kingdom, our focus should not be on the hereafter – that is, life after death. Instead, the kingdom that Jesus has been speaking about is a way of living that other people can take note of. The kingdom of God is about living God’s will today, not after we die.