I believe Christians need to give serious thought to what it means to belong to the kingdom of God. We speak of Jesus as our King. We confess that He has all power in heaven and earth. We believe we have been delivered from darkness and brought into His kingdom. But what responsibility comes with that relationship?
If we participate in Christ’s reign now, then we have a present responsibility to carry out His commands. We cannot claim the privileges of His kingdom while neglecting the duties of His kingdom.
Paul tells us that God “hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13, KJV). This describes something God has already done for His people. We belong to Christ’s kingdom today.
And our King is reigning today.
“For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet” (1 Corinthians 15:25).
Christ’s authority does not depend upon the approval of governments, armies, or religious institutions. He is Lord whether the world acknowledges Him or opposes Him.
Seated With the Reigning Christ
Paul writes that God “hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6).
Notice the words “hath raised” and “made us sit.” Paul describes a present spiritual reality grounded in our union with Jesus Christ. We belong to the One who has overcome death and is seated at the Father’s right hand.
I understand this to mean that we already participate in Christ’s reign. Christians differ over the timing and meaning of some passages about reigning with Him, and the fullness of our inheritance is still ahead. Nevertheless, our membership in His kingdom and our commission to serve Him are present realities.
We do not possess an independent throne. We do not have authority to substitute our ambitions for God’s will. Whatever authority we exercise comes from Christ and remains subject to Him.
Paul says, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20). An ambassador has a responsibility to represent the one who sent him faithfully. We represent Jesus through our words, our choices, and our treatment of other people.
That brings us to a searching question: Are we representing the character of our King?
The King Commands Us to Defend the Weak
Psalm 82 reveals God’s concern about the abuse and neglect of those who need protection:
“Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked” (Psalm 82:3–4).
Whether one understands those addressed in this psalm as heavenly rulers or human judges, the standard God declares is unmistakable. He requires justice. He condemns partiality toward the wicked. He demands that the weak receive protection.
Those who exercise authority are accountable to God for how they use it.
Surely those of us who belong to Christ’s kingdom should reflect that same concern. We cannot read these commands, acknowledge their righteousness, and then decide that the suffering around us is none of our business.
The fatherless need care. The afflicted need help. The poor need fair treatment. Those being harmed need someone willing to stand beside them.
James makes this responsibility personal:
“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27).
Our faith must reach into the circumstances of people who are hurting. A visit may lead to a meal, a ride to an appointment, help with a bill, or steady companionship. Sometimes the greatest gift we can offer is a willingness to remain involved after everyone else has gone home.
Obedience Must Become Action
There is a danger in becoming satisfied with saying the right things. We can speak about mercy without showing mercy. We can condemn injustice in general while overlooking it when confronting it would cost us something.
John asks:
“But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” (1 John 3:17).
Then he gives the answer in the form of a command:
“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18).
I cannot meet every need in the world. Neither can you. But we can respond to the people God places within our reach. We can use what we have. We can join with others when the need is greater than our individual ability.
The Good Samaritan did not solve every problem along that road. He cared for the wounded man he encountered. He stopped, drew near, tended the wounds, and arranged for continued care.
Jesus ended that account with these words: “Go, and do thou likewise” (Luke 10:37).
That command still speaks to us.
We Must Speak Truth to Those With Power
Caring for the weak also means challenging the actions that harm them.
Proverbs commands, “Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy” (Proverbs 31:9).
There are times when obedience requires us to speak. We may need to report abuse, question a public policy, confront mistreatment, or ask a church leader why someone’s suffering has been ignored.
We must do so honestly. Before repeating an accusation, we should establish the facts. We must distinguish between a verified wrong and a suspicion. Our concern for justice does not excuse careless words or false witness.
But neither should we use uncertainty about some details as a permanent excuse to ignore clear suffering.
Our loyalty to Christ must govern our judgment. A political party, a government, or a religious leader cannot make cruelty righteous. Friendship cannot turn dishonesty into truth. A Christian label cannot excuse conduct contrary to the commands of Jesus.
The same standard must apply to ourselves. We should welcome correction, examine our motives, and repent when we have treated someone unfairly.
Christ Shows Us How to Exercise Authority
Jesus taught His disciples that greatness in His kingdom involves service:
“Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister” (Matthew 20:26).
Then He pointed to His own example:
“Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).
Our participation in His reign must take its character from Him. It calls for humility, courage, sacrifice, and love. It gives us no permission to dominate others or compel them to believe.
We overcome evil by remaining faithful to Christ. We pray, speak truth, offer help, resist temptation, and refuse to participate in wrongdoing. We love our enemies while holding them accountable for their actions.
That kind of obedience may bring opposition. Scripture says, “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him” (2 Timothy 2:12). Our present service looks toward the fullness of that promise. Until then, faithfulness may require us to bear a cost.
What Will We Do Today?
I believe we share in Christ’s reign now through our union with Him. That belief should make us more attentive to the responsibilities He has given us.
We ought to ask ourselves: Is there a child who needs support? A widow who needs companionship? A struggling family who needs help? Someone being mistreated who needs an advocate? Is there an injustice I have overlooked because speaking would be uncomfortable?
Jesus asks a question that reaches beneath every claim we make:
“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).
That is a question for this country preacher as much as for anyone reading these words.
Our King has spoken. He commands us to love, serve, defend, and obey. May our conduct show that we belong to His kingdom, and may the weak and suffering find help through our faithfulness to Him.
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