Entering the Kingdom of the Heavens by Doing the Father’s Will VS Entering the Kingdom of God by Regeneration

 

Entering the Kingdom of the Heavens by Doing the Father’s Will VS Entering the Kingdom of God by Regeneration

John 3:3 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

John 1:12 But to all who receive him, who believe in his name, he gives the right to become children of God.

Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 

Aspect	Entering the Kingdom of the Heavens by Doing the Father’s Will	Entering the Kingdom of God by Regeneration
Theme	Doing the will of the heavenly Father	Being born again to enter God’s kingdom
Meaning	Entering the manifestation of the kingdom of the heavens (future reward and participation)	Entering the kingdom of God as God’s rule and divine realm
Reason	After calling on the Lord for salvation, believers must still live in obedience to the Father’s will	Man’s natural life cannot understand or enter God’s kingdom; divine life is required
Condition for Entry	Doing the will of the Father who is in the heavens	Being born of water and the Spirit (regeneration)
Nature	Related to living, obedience, responsibility, and practice	Related to life, birth, position, and realm
Key Scriptures	Matt. 7:21; Matt. 12:50; Rom. 12:2; Eph. 5:17; Col. 1:9	John 3:3, 5; John 1:12–13; Col. 1:13
Key Distinction	Emphasizes the living and practice of the divine life	Emphasizes the birth and entrance by the divine life
Time Orientation	Points to the future manifestation of the kingdom	A present reality upon regeneration
Illustration	Running a race within the lane; running outside is lawlessness	Birth determines the kingdom; no one can enter by naturalization
Explanation	Works done in the Lord’s name without obedience to the Father’s will are considered lawless	Once divine life is received, one spontaneously is in God’s kingdom
Living Aspect	Living according to God’s will in daily conduct	Living according to the inner sense of divine life
The Lord’s Evaluation	Whether the Lord approves and commends what is done	Whether one has been transferred into the kingdom
Potential Danger	Much work without obedience may lead to rejection from the kingdom reward	Being saved but neglecting kingdom living
The Lord’s Rebuke	“I never approved of you…you workers of lawlessness”	Without regeneration, one cannot see or enter the kingdom
Mutual Relationship	Built upon regeneration; requires further living out of life	The prerequisite and starting point for entering the kingdom of the heavens
Order	Regeneration → doing the Father’s will	Regeneration is the only entrance
Negative Example	Prophesying, casting out demons, and miracles without obedience	Nicodemus: religious yet not regenerated
Positive Example	“Whoever does the will of My Father is My brother and sister”	Whoever calls on the Lord is regenerated and transferred
Practical Application (Living)	Ask: Is this according to the Father’s will?	Follow the inner knowing of life, not mere teaching
Practical Application (Service)	Results and power cannot replace obedience	Service must issue from life, not doctrine alone
Spiritual Burden	Lead believers beyond salvation to kingdom living	Lead people to genuine regeneration
Prophesying Direction	The kingdom is a matter of obedience, not performance	The kingdom is a matter of life, not education
Solemn Warning	Doing things in the Lord’s name ≠ doing God’s will	Good behavior ≠ entering God’s kingdom
Conclusion	Entry into the kingdom of the heavens is the result of mature, obedient living	Entry into God’s kingdom is the fact of life birth
Ultimate Summary	Kingdom reward belongs to those who do the Father’s will	God’s kingdom belongs only to the regenerated
Expanded Scriptures	Matt. 7:21–23; Matt. 12:50; Rom. 12:2; 1 Cor. 3:13; 2 Cor. 5:10	John 3:3–6; John 1:12–13; Col. 1:13; Rom. 10:13

Core Summary:

Regeneration brings us into the kingdom of God; doing the Father’s will brings us into the manifestation of the kingdom of the heavens.

Birth in life grants the position; living in life determines the reward.

 

*Please refer to the May 2025 International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training, General Topic: Matthew Chapters 5-7, The Most Important Aspects, Week 9: Implementing the Father's Will So that We May Enter the Father's Kingdom on "That Day," the Day of Christ's Judgment Seat.