What is Living for the Kingdom?
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LIVING FOR THE KINGDOM IS...living a life that embraces a set of core principles that stand in stark contrast to the values of the world. These include:
Seeking God's Righteousness First: "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." We prioritize a deep, personal relationship with God and a commitment to His standards of justice and moral purity above all other earthly concerns.
A Life of Repentance and Faith: Entry into the kingdom begins with repentance—a turning away from self-centeredness and sin—and faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This initial step is not a one-time event but an ongoing posture of the heart, continually realigning one's life with God's will.
Love as the Supreme Ethic: Jesus summarized the entirety of the law in two great commandments: to love God and to love one's neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). This selfless, sacrificial love is the defining characteristic of a kingdom citizen and should be the motivating force behind all our actions.
Righteousness, Peace, and Joy in the Holy Spirit: The Apostle Paul describes the kingdom as not being a matter of external observances, but of "righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17). Kingdom living, therefore, is an internal reality that manifests externally through a life of moral integrity, relational harmony, and a deep-seated joy that transcends circumstances.
A Counter-Cultural Value System: The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) provides a blueprint for kingdom living, outlining a value system that is often at odds with the world. It champions humility over pride, mercy over judgment, and service over self-interest.
Kingdom living is a daily practice
It involves cultivating spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Scripture study, and fellowship, which foster intimacy with God and a deeper understanding of His will
It means extending grace and forgiveness, seeking reconciliation, and demonstrating love and compassion to family, friends, and even enemies.
It is expressed through active participation in a local community of believers, using one's spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ and collectively bear witness to the kingdom.
It calls believers to be "salt and light" (Matthew 5:13-16), to be agents of positive transformation in their workplaces, neighborhoods, and society at large. This includes advocating for justice, caring for the poor and marginalized, and sharing the good news of the gospel.
Ultimately, "kingdom living" is a journey of transformation, empowered by the Holy Spirit, where the prayer "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" becomes the driving force and the lived reality of a believer's life. It is a foretaste of the perfect world to come, experienced and expressed in the here and now.
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