The Gospel Way CatechismSample

QUESTION 23: What Is the Kingdom of God?

ANSWER

The kingdom of God is the redemptive rule of God through his people over his creation—a reign already present, though not yet in fullness. We do not build the kingdom; yet by grace we are drawn into the work of God to remake the world under Jesus the King.

We live in a culture still haunted by religion, with the ghosts of religion everywhere. Postmodern philosopher Michel Foucault said religious ideas have not disappeared; they’ve been dispersed. One example he gives is confession, the practice of being open and honest about one’s sins, either to God or to another person. Even in an era of religious decline, confession hasn’t disappeared; it’s just moved. We see confession in therapeutic counseling, social media posts, and autobiographical writing. People still feel the need to share, but this new environment leaves us without any lasting sense of absolution.

In a similar way, certain religious impulses have gravitated toward the political realm. We are always in search of a new agenda, a new class of leaders, new laws that will enact justice and peace—some way of bringing the world in line with our vision.

The Bible offers us a vision of the world that transcends the earthly kingdoms that vie for our allegiance. All the side stories of politics—all the religious impulses that lead us to pin our hopes on contemporary leaders—get subsumed under the larger umbrella of God’s promise to remake this world under King Jesus. Jesus told his followers to seek his kingdom first (Matthew 6:33). Seeking first the kingdom means more than rearranging your priorities; it implies taking on a new way of seeing everything.

According to Scripture, the kingdom of God is the redemptive rule of God through his people over his creation. Remember God’s original intention for humanity to steward his creation (Genesis 1:26-28)? With Jesus the King working through his followers, we see a glimpse of God’s restorative plan, involving spiritual and earthly renewal through his people. That’s why Jesus instructs us to pray: “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10 CSB).

In the New Testament, we learn that the reign of Jesus is already present, though not yet in fullness. There is an “already, not yet” tension that characterizes the kingdom. Through Jesus’s ministry, the kingdom has been inaugurated. His reign is operative in the lives of his followers (Luke 17:21). However, the kingdom’s full consummation awaits Jesus’s return (Revelation 11:15), when God’s rule will be manifest in every corner of creation.

Sometimes Christians talk about building or bringing the kingdom, which overestimates the power of good-intentioned people to change the world for the better. Rightly understood, we don’t build or bring the kingdom. Only God can do that. We do, however, work in ways God uses to extend the kingdom. We reject the utopian vision you sometimes find in political activity, and we rely on God to enact true transformation. We don’t bring the kingdom, but we are invited to join God in his work of remaking the world. We cooperate with God in his redemptive plan.

Some in our day appreciate Christianity for its cultural impact. But it’s not enough to want the kingdom without the King. It’s not enough to enjoy the effects of Christianity without the heart. And the New Testament is clear: Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 17:14). Our participation in God’s kingdom work is rooted in allegiance to him.

Reflection Questions

In what ways can you discern the “already, but not yet” dynamic of God’s kingdom in your journey of faith? How does this tension inspire hope and perseverance? Consider moments in your life where you’ve seen glimpses of God’s kingdom at work and how you navigate the tension between the present reality and the future fulfillment of his reign. How does this understanding encourage you to remain hopeful and steadfast in your faith journey?

Reflect on the truth that we do not build the kingdom of God but are drawn into God’s work by grace. How does this perspective shift your approach to Christian living and service? Consider how viewing Christian living and service as participating in God’s work by grace rather than building the kingdom ourselves changes your motivation and approach. How does this perspective influence your attitude toward serving others and engaging in God’s mission?