The Kingdom of God and Its Citizens

For the born-again Christian, the kingdom of God is not a future place but a present reality and existence. We enter or become citizens of the kingdom of God the moment we believe in the Lord Jesus and he becomes KING over our lives.

Every kingdom has a king. Without a king, there is no kingdom. The moment we believe in what Jesus did for us on the cross and place our absolute confidence and trust in that, let go of sin and the devil’s lordship and our lordship over our own lives, and then relinquish that lordship to Jesus, he becomes king over us, and we become citizens of his kingdom.

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3:20

In the kingdom now and forever

Our citizenship begins while we are on Earth. When the kingdoms of this world are eventually subjected to Jesus and all is made new, our citizenship shall reach its culmination. But our citizenship in heaven is not a future occurrence but a present reality. Our citizenship was transferred upon salvation, and we are preparing for eternity every day. What we do as citizens now adds up to our rewards and responsibilities in the future.

Ephesians 2:6 says we are (presently) seated in heavenly places in Christ. The believer in Jesus is already in heaven while on earth. We are, in a sense, in two places at once: our spirits in heaven and our bodies on earth.

“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:6

Seeking things above where Christ is seated

Colossians 3:1-3 says that since we have been raised with Christ, we should set our minds on things above. Our minds should be on heavenly things and not earthly things. As we do that, our spirits rule over our bodies rather than vice versa. Our bodies are not yet glorified; they are still earthly. But our spirits have been made alive and can control our bodies if we feed our spirits on heavenly things.

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4

“Who (Jesus) will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” Philippians 3:21

In this world but not of it

Jesus said that we are in this world but not of it. And he prayed for us when he left this world that we should be kept from the evil one who is the prince of this world (the devil). This world is currently under the power of the evil one. But we are not of this world but above it as citizens of heaven. We have power over the devil as we stay submitted under our king, who is sovereign over all creation.

“I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” John 17:15-16

“We know that we are of God, and that the whole world is under the power of the evil one.” 1 John 5:19

“I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming, and he has no claim on me.” Jesus, John 14:30

“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20).” Every day we should be desiring that God’s kingdom continue to be established on earth so that more may enter his kingdom. God is extending his kingdom on earth through the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom so that more citizens may be brought out of the kingdom of darkness into his kingdom.

“He has rescued us from the dominion (power) of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son.” Colossians 1:13

Ambassadors of God’s kingdom

On earth, we are ambassadors representing our home kingdom. We are foreigners here representing our king and his business, and we should not forget that.

“Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20

“Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul.” 1 Peter 2:11

If we get caught up in this world, we are claiming its citizenry and forfeiting our heavenly one. Yes, we should care about this world, but chiefly by advancing our King and Father’s business, since only he has the solution for the world’s woes. And the solution is for Jesus to be king over all men individually by them accepting his sacrifice on the cross, which is the only way to his kingdom.

Those who refuse his rulership cannot be citizens of his kingdom. But for us who have believed, we must remember we are already citizens of heaven. We are not worms, beggars, and orphans. We are sons of the King of kings and citizens of his kingdom already.

Learning more about our Father’s kingdom

As we learn more about his kingdom and his commands and obey them, we become more representative of him and able to exercise his authority and live out the beautiful, victorious life of his kingdom.

Those who do not take time to learn about their kingdom and obey their king forfeit the great privileges and freedoms that only obedient citizens enjoy. This is true of earthly kingdoms and true of God’s kingdom too. Disobedient citizens of any kingdom are denied liberties that faithful ones enjoy. And those who commit treason are kicked out of the kingdom and cast into prison.

“I am a stranger on the earth; do not hide Your commandments from me.” Psalm 119:19

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14:17

“Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” Hebrews 12:28

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

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Are you born again? Do you have eternal life?

Have you given your life to Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior? He loves us so much that he, our creator, left heaven and came to earth, dying for us on the cross, taking our sins upon him so that we may be forgiven and receive his righteousness. He conquered death by rising from the dead and made a way for us who were dead in sin to be reconciled back to the Father (God). What’s more, he has prepared a wonderful home for us in heaven, where those who love him and obey him will spend eternity with him. Learn more here about how to be born again and have eternal life after this brief life on earth.

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