PART 1: Living the Kingdom Life

In the early days, following Jesus was called “The Way”. Christianity wasn’t called until Acts 11:26 when the term "Christian" was first used. This shift in identity brings us to a relevant question today: how should we live as Christians?

Despite countless sermons and teachings, we often hear the same repeated messages about what we should or shouldn’t do. Yet, a critical misconception needs correction: it’s not about us—it’s about the Kingdom.


Created with Purpose for the Kingdom

Your life is an extension of the Kingdom of God. Everything about you—your looks, temperament, and talents—was given to you by God. You didn’t choose your appearance, personality, or even the family you were born into. For instance, did you select your parents? Did you decide to be an extrovert or introvert? These traits were chosen for you by God, and they serve His divine purpose.

Jesus teaches us not to worry about such things. Instead, we are called to embrace the unique path He has created for each of us. God designed you exactly as you are and placed you in your circumstances intentionally, shaping you for His Kingdom work.

However, if you can’t accept yourself as you are, it will be hard to serve God effectively. The first reconciliation we need is with ourselves. If you’re constantly trying to be someone else or rejecting the person God created you to be, it hinders your ability to fulfill His purpose. Forgiveness may even start with yourself. Recognize that God works through your situation, not someone else’s.

As Paul writes in Galatians 1, “God chose to reveal Himself in my situation.” Each of our lives, as it is, is a vessel for His revelation.

Love and the Kingdom

Now, let’s reflect on the recurring themes of love and the Kingdom in Scripture. Love is mentioned 13 times in Matthew, 5 times in Mark, 12 times in Luke, and 39 times in John, for a total of 69 mentions. Meanwhile, the Kingdom is referenced 54 times in Matthew, 19 in Mark, 44 in Luke, and 3 in John—a total of 120 mentions.

These numbers illustrate the intertwined importance of love and the Kingdom. Christianity is not solely about love; it is also about living within and advancing God’s Kingdom. It is a Kingdom of justice, love, and divine order.

The Church and the Kingdom

This leads to a foundational question: what is the Kingdom of God, and how does it relate to the Church?

Is the Kingdom synonymous with the Church? Is the Church, as the Body of Christ, expected to fully represent the Kingdom? Or is the Kingdom something even greater, encompassing the Church and beyond?

We must first define terms like Kingdom of God, Heaven, and other related concepts to answer these questions. These definitions will guide our understanding as we move forward in this discussion.

Moving Forward Together 

  • God created us uniquely and purposefully for His work.

  • Embracing who we are allows us to serve Him more effectively.

  • The Kingdom of God is vast and multifaceted, and our lives are part of its story.

The next step is to unpack these ideas further—defining the Kingdom and understanding our role in it. What do you believe the Kingdom of God is? Is it confined to the Church, or is it something greater? Let’s continue this journey together, discovering what it truly means to live as citizens of God’s Kingdom.

Discussion point:

  1. How can forgiving ourselves or others lead to deeper alignment with God's will?

  2. How can accepting ourselves as God created us help us serve His Kingdom better?

  3. How can our specific talents, gifts, and life situations serve a greater Kingdom purpose?