The Kingdom of God

In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. John 3:3-5

Yesterday at church we received a great sermon on what it means to belong to the Kingdom of God. We heard that we are a people in an alien culture[1] and that as members of a different kingdom rule this should be reflected in our lifestyle.  We were told that whilst we are to fully interact with our culture we are to promote a counter culture, a different way of living, which should include humility, simplicity, chastity, and self-sacrifice.

There are numerous references to the Kingdom of God in the New Testament, many spoken by Jesus. An example of this is where Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus, a Jewish leader who came secretly at night to speak to Jesus. Jesus said to him that “no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again”[2]. The word “kingdom” means royal power, kingship, dominion or rule[3], and so where we see the words “kingdom of God” we can understand this to be God’s rule, God’s dominion or the place where God reigns.

When Jesus was on earth he often said that the “kingdom of God is near”[4] or when speaking to the Pharisees he says that the kingdom of God is “already among you”[5]. So we can see that where the King is, there also is the Kingdom. Entrance to the Kingdom is by new birth, and so when we accept Jesus as Saviour, we recognise the rule and reign of the King in our life and we therefore are relocated into a new kingdom, the Kingdom of God!

As we live our lives as citizens of the Kingdom of God, we represent that Kingdom in a foreign land. There was a quote used during yesterday’s sermon from a book called ‘Hope Again’ by Chuck Swindoll which said:

‘In the Marine Corps…our troopship carried us…onto Japanese soil…For many of us, it was our first visit to a foreign country. We were surging with excitement…Our company commander called us together…and…said…”Remember, for the first time in your lives, you’re the foreigners. This isn’t your country or your culture…you’re the minority. These aren’t your fellow citizens; they don’t speak your language. They know nothing of your homeland except what they see in you…Act in a way that the Japanese people will gain a good impression of your country.”[6]

We are citizens of a different kingdom, we are to represent that kingdom and show others what it means to belong to Jesus.

The Bible tells us that not only are we are ambassadors of Christ[7], to represent Him on earth, but we also share with Him in his authority and rule. When Jesus called the disciples He gave them authority[8], and we are told that just as Jesus was exalted and seated at the right hand of the Father, we have been seated with Him to share in His rule. In fact we are told that we are to “reign in life”[9], he has delegated His rule to us!

The Psalmist wrote:

The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to mankind. Psalm 115:16

This Kingdom rule was forfeited by Adam, but when Jesus declared that he had “all authority in heaven and on earth[10]” He reclaimed that which had been lost. As Jesus is no longer on earth, you and I, the family of God, the body of Christ, are empowered to exercise this rule in life through Christ.

Returning to the conversation that Jesus had with Nicodemus as recorded in John 3, it is interesting that Jesus used two different expressions about the Kingdom of God. Firstly He says that you cannot see the Kingdom of God, and then He says that you cannot enter the Kingdom of God, unless you are born again. We know that when you become a Christian you acknowledge the rule of Jesus in your life and therefore become a citizen of the Kingdom of God. So what is the difference between seeing the kingdom of God and entering the Kingdom of God? Could it be that there are some Christians, who having been saved, just see, or perceive the Kingdom of God, and that there are others who not only experience God’s supreme and powerful rule but actually enter into this rule and participate in it. Is it the difference of either being a passenger, or being someone who has been given the steering wheel and told “you can drive”!

We know that one day Jesus will return and establish the Kingdom perfectly and supremely. The kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of earth will be under one rule, Jesus Christ. In fact Jesus taught His disciples to pray “Your Kingdom come”[11] indicating that there is an event still to happen when the Kingdom rule will be finally and fully established. Until then, we are called to preach the Good News of the Kingdom[12], and to demonstrate the Kingdom rule here on earth. To see the sick healed, the dead raised, the demonised set free, sinners saved. These things have no place in God’s Kingdom! We are ambassadors of the King and we are to fully enter in to His Kingdom and reign in life and demonstrate to others the glorious joy of being a citizen of the Kingdom of God.

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