Do You Know The Difference Between Seeing and Entering?

On the face of it this might seem a rather stupid question. Of course, we all know the difference between 'seeing' and 'entering'. But do we really?

In John's Gospel chapter 3 when talking to Nicodemus, Jesus starts two very important statements by saying 'I tell you the truth', or in the authorised version 'Most assuredly I say unto you'.

He goes on to say in verse 3 that, 'no-one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again'. And in verse 5, 'no-one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit'.

Here we can clearly read two very different statementsbecause of the two verbs used. See and Enter. But if we have not understood their significance and been obedient to them, our relationship with the Triune God has not really begun, or is seriously handicapped.

I am sure many of us have had the experience of going somewhere with children in the car. Perhaps we are going to visit the grandparents. After a long journey we turn the final bend in the road and the children excitedly say, 'I can see Granny's house'.

They are excited to see the house but they have not yet entered the house. They are still in the car looking at it. To enter the house they have to get out of the car and walk in.

It is exactly the same with the kingdom of God. We hear the gospel message. Our eyes are opened to see the kingdom of God. But until we enter the kingdom of God we are still only looking at it.

So what action do we have to take to actually enter the kingdom of God? Jesus clearly tells us. Be born of water and the Spirit.

Being born of water refers to water baptism. This is confirmed by Jesus in Matthew 28 v 19, 'Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.'

Peter in Acts 2 v 28 says, 'Repent and be baptised every one of you'. In v 41 of the same chapter it is recorded, 'Those who accepted his message were baptised'.

In Acts chapter 10 Peter talking to Cornelius and his household was astonished when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon them and heard them speaking in tongues and praising God; verse 48 says, 'he ordered that they be baptised in the name of Jesus'.

Again, the jailer in Acts 16 heard the message at midnight from Paul and he and his household were baptised. There are many more references in the New Testament.

This is so important to understand. It is not about whether I feel like being baptised or not, it is a command from Jesus. Until we are obedient we cannot enter the kingdom and enjoy the benefits therein.

The second requirement is to be born of the Spirit. Another form of baptism, the manifestation of which is speaking in tongues. If you do not speak in tongues, why not? What's the problem?

These are two fundamental commands given to everyone who sees the kingdom of God because without them Jesus knows we will never be able to enter into the kingdom of God and the wonderful life He is longing to share intimately with us.

Seed Newsvine

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