If one is saved then they are part of the Kingdom of God.
In fact the Kingdom of God is within a person who is saved:
And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. Luke 17:20-21
The Kingdom of God is not simply a destination in the after-life as some may want to think it is. In fact it is here and now. Jesus and John both said that it was "at hand" on several occasions (Matthew 3:2, 4:17, 10:7, Mark 1:15).
So if citizenship in God's kingdom is a done deal and no one supposedly can opt out and leave this kingdom (i.e. Once saved always saved (OSAS),) and since OSAS claims that the Kingdom cannot be taken from someone then why did Jesus say that some of those "chosen" ones would be cast out of the kingdom or that the kingdom would be taken from them?
But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.. Matthew 8:12
Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. Matthew 21:43
I know the scriptural gymnastics that are required to flip around this problem. I had to believe in the false dispensational interpretations of scriptures as well at one time in order for me to accept OSAS. I have since realized that God never changes and this includes His plan of salvation. When you realize this then it becomes apparent that salvation is indeed of a great price (Mark 13) and something that ought to be worked out with fear and trembling as Paul said to the church at Philippi (2:12).
This biblical line of thinking is in no way proposing that it is a ‘works based’ salvation. Salvation was provided once and for all on the cross by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is available to anyone who would accept it.
What I am saying that faith is, in a way, works based, in the sense that without good works, done selflessly and solely for the glory of the Lord, faith is dead.
No good works=no faith and no faith=no salvation. That is sound biblical math according to James.
James 2:17-26 says:
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Folks have asked me why am I so passionate about this subject? Well when the modern day doctrine of OSAS is preached with the extra dose of greasy grace that typically comes with it, it gives many, who by biblical definitions are not saved, the false assurance that they are saved. It tells them that they can somehow serve two masters in their daily living. The Bible is clear you cannot serve both God and yourself (i.e. habitual life of willful sin). This is a false gospel and leaves a soul in critical danger.
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Matthew 6:24
For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God Exodus 34:14
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