Identifying Believers Part 1

The prophecy of Isaiah revealed characteristics of the world, people, life, and relationships that will be true of the coming kingdom to be established by the Messiah.

Christ's "Sermon on the Mount" was given in the context of this coming kingdom. In this message He described and identified who will be in that kingdom. He makes clear that what is needed to enter the kingdom is perfect righteousness and that is only possible by the salvation He would provide. It was a message given to the nation of Israel, but it is applicable to all Gentiles who will also enter the kingdom. What will characterize all who will dwell in it is what will characterize all who repent and believe Christ's gospel.

With these characteristics, believers down through the age of the Church, become identifiable as Jesus described what a saved person looks like, inwardly and outwardly. This sermon wasn't telling anyone what to do to please God, but was rather to tell what affect genuine faith has on a life.

With these characteristics all who claim to be believers can examine their own heart and mind to see if they are really saved and will dwell in the coming kingdom with Jesus Christ.