I am concerned that many Christians have been taught to look for a future kingdom without understanding their responsibility in the kingdom of God today. They expect to serve and reign with Christ when He returns, but do they understand that they already belong to Him?
The return of our Lord is our blessed hope. Yet waiting for His return does not release us from obeying His commands now. The hungry need food today. The fatherless need protection today. The lost need to hear the gospel today.
We cannot postpone obedience until tomorrow when our King has given us work to do today.
Jesus began His ministry declaring:
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” — Mark 1:15, KJV
God has always ruled over His creation. Through Jesus Christ, His kingdom came among us in a decisive way. Christ called people to repent, believe, and follow Him. He continues to call us into that life of allegiance and service.
Jesus told Nicodemus:
“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” — John 3:3, KJV
The new birth changes more than our future destination. It changes whom we serve, how we live, and what governs our decisions.
Paul describes believers as those whom God:
“Hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.” — Colossians 1:13, KJV
Notice that Paul speaks of something God has already done. Those who belong to Christ have been brought into His kingdom. We await its fullness, but our citizenship and responsibility have already begun.
Our participation in Christ’s reign means serving under His authority. It gives us no permission to become proud, dominate others, or confuse our personal ambitions with God’s will. Jesus taught His disciples that greatness is expressed through service. We represent our King faithfully when our conduct reflects His character.
The question, then, is simple: Are we obeying the King to whom we belong?
Jesus asked:
“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” — Luke 6:46, KJV
That question ought to bring every one of us to examine our heart. We may understand prophecy, defend our doctrine, and speak confidently about the kingdom, yet still neglect the commands of Christ.
It is also possible for a Christian to misunderstand the kingdom’s present reality while faithfully serving the Lord. Someone may expect the kingdom only in the future and still preach the gospel, feed the hungry, visit the sick, and love their enemies. We should teach that person patiently. Understanding carries responsibility, but correct terminology alone does not establish faithfulness.
Jesus said:
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” — John 14:15, KJV
Love for the King must become obedience to the King.
Our first responsibility is to proclaim the gospel. People need to hear that Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose again, and that through Him there is forgiveness and new life. We are His witnesses. We must call people to repentance and faith, and teach them to observe His commands.
But the life of the witness must agree with the message of the witness. If I preach Christ’s love while treating people cruelly, my conduct undermines my words. If I proclaim His righteousness while excusing dishonesty, I fail to represent Him faithfully.
We must also put His kingdom first:
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.” — Matthew 6:33, KJV
That command reaches into our private lives and our public loyalties. Our political party, our nation, our preferred leaders, and our personal interests must answer to the authority of Jesus Christ. We cannot excuse wrongdoing simply because the person responsible is someone we support.
The King determines what is right. Our loyalties do not change His commandments.
Faithfulness also requires concern for those who are weak and vulnerable. Psalm 82 declares:
“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, KJV
Whatever differences Christians have about the identity of those addressed in this psalm, God’s concern for justice is unmistakable. He condemns the failure to protect those exposed to oppression.
We should take that concern seriously. A church that proclaims God’s righteousness must care about people suffering injustice. That may mean helping a family buy groceries, protecting a child, visiting someone who is alone, supporting a person who has been abused, or speaking truthfully about the actions of those in authority.
We cannot solve every problem, but we can obey God in the responsibilities He places before us.
Our love must also reach beyond those who agree with us. Jesus commanded:
“Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you.” — Matthew 5:44, KJV
That is a demanding command. It tests our faithfulness when anger would be easier than mercy. We can confront evil and seek accountability while refusing hatred, revenge, and delight in another person’s suffering.
To remain faithful, we must abide in Christ. Prayer, Scripture, fellowship, and dependence on the Holy Spirit sustain our service. Jesus said, “Without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). We cannot represent His kingdom faithfully while neglecting our relationship with Him.
We must also repent when we fail. Faithfulness does not mean pretending we never stumble. It means responding to the Lord’s correction, confessing our sins, turning from them, and making things right where we can.
None of this purchases salvation. We are saved by grace through faith. Yet the same passage that teaches salvation by grace also says we are created in Christ Jesus unto good works (Ephesians 2:8–10). Obedience is the fruit of His saving work in us.
I believe the church needs to teach both our future hope and our present responsibility. Christ will return, and His reign will be revealed in its fullness. Until then, He has given us a calling.
We are to proclaim His gospel, obey His commands, care for our neighbors, defend the vulnerable, and remain faithful through hardship.
When we gather for worship, we ought to ask: Who around us needs mercy? Who needs to hear the gospel? Where are we excusing sin? What has Christ commanded that we have left undone?
We belong to God’s kingdom now. Let us be faithful to our King today.
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