Is there a difference between being saved by God/Jesus Christ and belonging to the Kingdom?
The difference between being saved and being part of the Kingdom of God is an essential theme in Jesus' teachings, often explained through parables that highlight the nuances between salvation and full participation in the Kingdom of God. Below, we explain the key differences:
Salvation is a Gift of Grace
Salvation is the first step in the Christian life. According to Ephesians 2:8-9, salvation is by grace through faith, not by works: "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; not by works, so that no one can boast." This means that anyone who believes in Jesus and accepts His sacrifice can receive salvation. This refers to the act of being saved.
Jesus taught that many can be saved by believing in Him and accepting the gift of eternal life (John 3:16), but salvation alone does not automatically mean that a person is a full participant in the Kingdom of God.
The Kingdom Requires Faithfulness and Obedience
Being part of the Kingdom of God goes beyond being saved; it involves living out faith through obedience, faithful stewardship, and a willingness to serve the King — Jesus. For example, the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) emphasizes that those entrusted with God’s resources (time, abilities, opportunities) must use them wisely. The servants who multiplied their talents were praised and invited to enter into the joy of their lord (vv. 21-23). However, the servant who hid his talent was called "wicked and lazy" and cast "into outer darkness" (vv. 26-30).
Thus, while this servant may have been saved, he lost the greater rewards and responsibilities in the Kingdom of God due to his lack of faithfulness. Salvation brings a person to heaven, but full participation in the Kingdom involves reigning with Christ, something Jesus emphasizes in Matthew 25:23: "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.”
In Matthew 11:12, Jesus says: "From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been seizing it by force." This verse highlights the idea that, although salvation is a free gift from God through faith, full participation in the Kingdom of God requires effort, determination, and perseverance. The "force" mentioned by Jesus refers to the need to zealously and diligently pursue God’s ways, overcoming the difficulties and resistance of this world. Those who desire to enter the Kingdom must be willing to deny themselves, face opposition, and spiritually fight to live according to the principles of the Kingdom.
What is the advantage of being part of the Kingdom of God?
Being part of the Kingdom of God goes beyond salvation, involving faithfulness, stewardship, readiness, and active participation in the governance and reign of God. Full participation in the Kingdom is for those who not only believe but also faithfully live out their calling, fulfilling the responsibilities given to them by God. This involves receiving both the inheritance and the rewards that come with being a faithful servant of Christ.
Jesus also said in Mark 10:29-30: "Truly I tell you, no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life."
In other words, those who are part of the Kingdom, obey and do what God desires, will receive a hundred times more, both in material blessings and relationships, and finally, in eternal life, they will take part in reigning alongside Jesus.