The rule of Christ, the sphere of His activity, the realm and presence of God, the Kingdom, only has citizens who have lived for others.
“You can be sure that using people or religion or things just for what you can get out of them—the usual variations on idolatry—will get you nowhere, and certainly nowhere near the kingdom of Christ, the kingdom of God.” Ephesians 5 v 5
The Apostle is very firm on this, “For of this you can be sure” if your life on earth is about you then you will not come into the Kingdom. You may be religious but if your faith is about you becoming someone then forget it. If your focus is not to serve and to help but to get and to gain because you are not thankful for what you have received then forget it. You may think you are in the Kingdom and you may think you will come into it but forget it, you won’t. Others may think you are in the Kingdom because of your personality and charisma but forget it, they are of no help.
You cannot grab what you think you deserve and hold the hand of a God who is generous.
You cannot use people and expect God to use you.
You cannot be a big man and have a big God.
These will get you nowhere.
You may think you are in but you are definitely out.
So how do you get into this Kingdom of Christ and of God?
It is obvious isn’t it? Just look at those words in bold.
God loves and God sends, Christ came and Christ is crucified.
Selfless citizens of the Kingdom.
Missions Paul 