The promises of inheriting the Kingdom of God are made to those who LOVE God (1Cor. 2:9).  Jesus explained that IF we love Him, then we will obey (and remember, He summarized the commandments into two because they fulfill ALL of them - Rom. 13:8-10, and we are NOT able to keep the second one if we don't first obey the first), and we will be indwelt by His Spirit.  This is how He manifests Himself to true believers.  They are those who believe in their hearts and love Him by obeying, who have made Him their Lord and Savior (Rom. 10:5-10) in spirit and truth (John 4:23)--not with empty confessions.*  He is not manifested to the whole world in this way.  The ones who are indwelt are those who are born again.  They are the ones He KNOWS.  (Matt. 7:13-27, Matt. 25:10-13, Luke 13:25)  They are the heirs of the Kingdom.

*Remember, Judas partook of the Last Supper and even had his feet washed by Jesus.  Jesus referred to him as being present, both after He had washed their feet and during the Passover meal where He instituted the Lord's Supper, when Jesus revealed who the betrayer was.  (John 13:10-12, John 13:18, John 13:21-30, Luke 22:17-21) This confused the other disciples greatly, because Judas appeared to be one of them.  (Matt. 26:22, Mark 14:19, Luke 17:23, John 13:22, John 6:66, 1John 2:18-19)  People in the end times who have a false faith like Judas will take the mark of the beast during the tribulation and be lost forever.  For them, their allegiance to Jesus is only on the surface--they mostly want benefits of being associated with Him, just like Judas.  (John 12:4-6, Mark 14:10-11, Matt. 6:33 - seek FIRST.) The loyalty of people like that is for sale, as we see in Daniel's prophecy of what will happen during the great tribulation.  (Dan. 11:32, 39)  The last thing they would do is to stand firm under fire for Jesus’ sake.  (Matt. 24:10, Mark 4:14-19, Luke 8:11-14, Luke 21:12-18, John 16:1-3, 1Cor. 15:58, Eph. 6:11, Heb. 3:12-13, Heb. 12:4)

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9  Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10  And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11  To Him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:8-11

Judas agreed to follow Jesus and on the surface, it appeared that he did.  He appeared to “eat of the Bread of Life,” but it was a lie.  (John 6:35)  He was accepted by the other disciples, but only Jesus could see inside his heart to detect the evil that lurked there.   Judas was not sincere and his actions eventually proved it.  (1Tim. 5:24)

For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. 56  Whoever feeds on My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 57  As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on Me, he also will live because of Me. 58  This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” John 6:55-58

Jesus clarified the above words as being spiritual, as referring to believing in His sacrifice of His body on the cross for our sake, a few verses later in the same passage:

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64  But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray Him.) 65  And He said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless it is granted him by the Father.” 66  After this many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him. 67  So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68  Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69  and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” 70  Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” 71  He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the Twelve, was going to betray Him. John 6:63-71

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17

Judas called Jesus “teacher” (Rabbi) but he was not a good student.  He made a pretense of giving Him a kiss, but didn’t really love Him.  (Matt. 26:48-50, Mark 14:44-46, Luke 22:47-48)  We need to be aware that NOT everyone who rubs shoulders with us (and advises us of what pleases God) is born again.  We need to be on guard against both working for salvation and "perverted grace," which tells us that Jesus died so that we could be free TO sin after we are saved.  (Jude, Dan. 11:33-35, Eph. 5:8-10, Gal. 1:6-10, 1Thess. 4:1-7, Heb. 13:16)  Jesus said that people had tried to “seize the kingdom by force” (by works) up until then, rather than through faith (as was intended all along).  (Matt. 11:12, Rom. 3:21-31)  God neither approves of people who want to Lord it OVER others by trying to enforce obedience out of fear (whereas we obey voluntarily out of LOVE as a natural result of His regenerating our dead spirit - Titus 3:5), nor those who refuse to submit to HIS Lordship over US. (Eph. 1:22-23, Eph. 5:23-24, Col. 1:18, Rev. 2:14-15, Rev. 2:20-23)

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10  so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11  May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12  giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13  He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14  in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:9-14

And why not do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just. Romans 3:8

For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Jude 1:4

Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by Him without spot or blemish, and at peace. 15  And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 16  as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. 17  You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. 18  But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. 2 Peter 3:14-18

Let's not "dabble" at our faith, but be sincere in our hearts and show it by our actions (love God and love our neighbor, including our brothers and sisters in Christ--don't sin against anyone or cause anyone to sin against each other or God--love in deed not only in word).  Let's not be lukewarm--how can someone like that overcome?  Everyone whose name is not in the Book of Life will be deceived by the signs and wonders performed by the beast doing his imitation of God.  (Rev. 13:7-18)  Those who are IN Christ have eternal life.  (Matt. 3:11, Rom. 6, Gal. 3:27, John 15:4-6, John 15:16, 1John 5:10-13)  

Let's be on the GOOD side of the passages above and below written to the churches (these claim to believe).  We want to be among those who are "clothed in white," the Bride, inviting others to "come and drink" of the free "water of life," along with the Holy Spirit and those who hear and accept the invitation--among those who have "washed their robes"--the "righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.”  The church in Laodicea was told that contrary to what they thought about themselves, they were really naked, wretched, pitiable, poor and blind. God despises pride and oppression.  (Luke 1:50-53, Jam. 5:1-6)  The church in Sardis was warned that many had soiled their garments and unless they repent, they would not walk with Jesus in white.  (Dan. 12:9-10)  Let's not be like that.  Is there anyone like or God, or has there ever been or could there ever be?  (Is. 46:9)  No, He alone is God and He is worthy of ALL we can give in love and gratitude for who He is and what He's done.  (Rev. 4:11)

And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 11  Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.” 12  “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 14  Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. 15  Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 16  “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” 17  The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. 18  I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19  and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. 20  He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21  The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. Revelation 22:10-21

The entire time Jesus was ministering to the sick and lost on earth, He knew He was under a death sentence, but it didn't discourage Him.  (Luke 12:50)  It was what He came for.  (Matt. 20:26-28, John 10:17-18, John 12:27, John 18:37)  That was OUR death sentence (eternal separation from God) and because of Him, we are FREE of it.  Because of His Spirit within us who truly believe, we are even free of the enslavement to the desire to sin that had shackled us.  Practicing sin is not the same as "slipping" now and then, but is a way of life--without making effort to turn from sin.  (Rom. 6:17, 2Pet. 2:19)  We can overcome by HIS power.  (Col. 1:9-14 above, Rev. 2:7, Rev. 2:11, Rev. 2:17, Rev. 2:26, Rev. 3:5, Rev. 3:12, Rev. 3:21)  Even the church at Philadelphia, who is told they have already endured and will be spared from the "hour of trial to come on the whole world" (Rev. 3:10), is told to "overcome" and "hold fast to their crown [of life]" until He comes, which He says will be quickly.  (Rev. 3:11-12)


Let's carry our cross and FOLLOW Him in order to be worthy of Him, because of our great love for Him--because He loved us FIRST.  (Luke 9:23, Luke 14:25-27, John 8:42, John 12:26, John 21:15-19, 1John 4:10, 1John 4:18-19)

And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. Luke 23:26

Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. Matthew 16:24

Whoever loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38  And whoever does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. 39  Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 10:37-39

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14  You are my friends if you do what I command you. John 15:13-14  

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of Him. 2  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey His commandments. 3  For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4  For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5  Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:1-5

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:9-10

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 19  We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:18-19

I can't say it enough, the more you KNOW Him (through His Word and observing all He has done in His creation), the more you will LOVE Him.  Then the thought of sinning against Him deliberately, including putting anything or anyone above or before Him, will be abhorrent.  On the contrary, the desire to be conformed to His image and made useful to Him for service resulting in His glory will become stronger every day.  Read your Bible, pray, praise, worship and serve Him faithfully.  The more you do those things (in spirit and truth), the more you will have the desire to do them.  Truth.

Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12  The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13  Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14  But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Romans 13:11-14