Kingdom obedience

Only one who knows that he needs forgiveness is capable of taking part in the Kingdom. For only in this does man show himself as one who knows that he lives solely on the gift of God. And through forgiveness he has a share in this gift. But the forgiveness which Jesus offers combines inseparably the gift and the task (Gabe und Aufgabe). Only one who himself forgives preserves the forgiveness which has been given to him; he who does not forgive loses it. The Kingdom of God comes from God alone; but he alone receives a share in it who “seeks first the Kingdom of God”, who is ready give up everything for it. There is no reception of the divine gift which is not at the same time, to the highest degree, an act of personal surrender to God, and an act of obedience.—Emil Brunner, The Christian Doctrine of Creation and Redemption, 279