The Kingdom of God

Jesus and the Apostles faithfully preached the kingdom of God. It was central to their teachings. There are different aspects of the kingdom of God and we will discuss one of these today. In order to understand the kingdom of God we need to first understand what the word "kingdom" means. A kingdom is simply a king's dominion. It can include physical territory and people. People within a kingdom are to be in submission to their king who has supreme authority and rule over them. Jesus declared himself to be a king:

Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

John 18:37

Jesus taught that there is only one way to enter God's kingdom:

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:3

The kingdom of God cannot be received except through childlike faith and humility:

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

Mark 10:15

Those who have been born again are currently members of this kingdom:

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Colossians 1:12-13

Although there is a future kingdom of God coming to this earth, Jesus also taught that this kingdom is currently exists:

And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Luke 17:20-21

Christians are to seek the kingdom of God as their very first priority:

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 6:33

To seek the kingdom of God is to submit to the King. There was submission to King Solomon when he began to rule:

And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David, submitted themselves unto Solomon the king.

I Chronicles 29:24

There is submission to God's rule in our lives when we seek his kingdom:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12:1-2

Some claim that God is their authority and then refuse to submit to his authority. This is confusion and nonsense:

And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Luke 6:46

Seeking the kingdom of God is evidence of our love for God:

If ye love me, keep my commandments.

John 14:15

God's commandments are not grievous to those who love him:

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

I John 5:3

In fact, submitting our lives to God as King is a great privilege which brings us peace and joy:

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink;

but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Romans 14:17