Living Under A King
The Kingdom of heaven is not a democracy. The Kingdom of Heaven is the rule of King Jesus breaking into ordinary life—first in our hearts, then in our homes and churches, and one day in full when He returns. It’s not just a place you go later; it’s a life you live now under His authority.
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” — Matthew 4:17
In the Gospels, Matthew prefers the phrase “Kingdom of Heaven” while Mark and Luke often say “Kingdom of God.” Most Bible teachers see them as overlapping ideas. Matthew’s wording likely honors Jewish reverence for God’s name and also points our eyes upward to God’s heavenly rule now touching earth. For this post, we’ll focus on “Kingdom of Heaven”—how Jesus describes it in Matthew, what it looks like, and how to live in it daily. For a parallel phrase, see our post on the Kingdom of God,”
What is the Kingdom of Heaven?
The Kingdom of heaven is not a place that we go to after we die. Think of God’s reign more than a location. A “kingdom” exists wherever a king’s will is obeyed. A Kingdom is the domain of a King and the extent of the king’s rule. When Jesus said, “Give to
Caesar what belongs to Caesar and give to God what belongs to God”, this is exactly what He meant. The coin had Caesar’s inscription on it. During the times of kings in history, a king’s domain extended to the extent of the use of his currency. The moment a different currency was in play, the domain of another king had begun. So Jesus’ comment simply stated, give to Caesar what belonged to Caesar in his domain, and give to God what belongs to God in God’s domain. This way, Jesus also clarified that His Kingdom was not of this world.
Three simple pictures to further clarify
- The Embassy:
An embassy sits inside another country, yet it operates by its home nation’s laws. The embassy, within its boundary walls, is free from the laws of the host country. Followers of Jesus become embassies of heaven on earth—living by the King’s values even when the culture disagrees (Philippians 3:20). We abide by the civil laws of this world, but live by the laws of a different Kingdom. The Kingdom of heaven. - The Operating System:
Your phone or your computer runs on an operating system (OS) that shapes how everything works. The Kingdom of Heaven is like installing JesusOS—it changes how we think, choose, spend, speak, and love. - The Seed and the Yeast (Matthew 13):
Jesus said the kingdom starts small like a mustard seed and works quietly like yeast. Don’t despise small beginnings; heaven’s rule grows in hidden, steady ways that eventually shape everything. After all, the Kingdom of heaven started with 11 disciples and has steadily grown to multiplied billions over the years isn’t it? Truly, the gates of hell cannot prevail against the Kingdom of heaven.
Already and Not Yet
Not yet: One day the King will return, remove evil, and make all things new. Until then, we live as citizens-in-waiting, practicing heaven’s ways now.
Already: The King has come. Wherever people trust and obey Jesus, His kingdom is at hand (Matthew 4:17).
How Jesus Describes Life in the Kingdom
- Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3–12): The beatitudes describe best the life in the Kingdom of heaven. Poverty of spirit, purity of heart, mercy, peacemaking—these are kingdom character. The qualities of a citizen of heaven as described in the beatitudes are quite opposite to that of this world, but that is what defines a Kingdom of heaven. It is surely not of this world.
- Kingdom Righteousness (Matt 5–7): In the Kingdom mindset, it is not just rule-keeping, but heart-level obedience—anger, lust, honesty, generosity, prayer. These emotions are not something that you simply resist or put on. The fruit of the Spirit as described in Galatians 5, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control defines the qualities of a citizen living under the influence of the Kingdom of heaven.
- Seek First (Matthew 6:33): Prioritize the King’s agenda over worry about money and status.
- Forgiving and Being Forgiven (Matthew 6:12–15; 18:21–35): Kingdom citizens forgive because they’ve been forgiven.
- Hidden Treasure & Pearl (Matthew 13:44–46): The kingdom is worth everything; joyful surrender is normal. In order to experience all that the Kingdom has to offer, we must reject all that this world has to offer. In the story of the hidden treasure, we learn that the man sold everything he owned to buy the field with the treasure. Likewise in the story of the invaluable pearl.
Why Holiness and Purity Matter in the Kingdom
- We as citizens reflect the King.
He is holy; His people carry His name. Purity isn’t prudish—it’s family resemblance. - Holiness keeps the channel clear.
Habitual Sin is like static on a call. Obedience keeps our hearing sharp and our prayers unhindered. Else, there is always a wall of guilt that keeps us from approaching the throne of God with confidence and our prayers are ineffective because we cannot pray in faith. - Purity protects purpose.
Compromise drains courage. Holiness strengthens your “yes” to your calling. - A credible witness.
People may debate your beliefs, but they can’t ignore a life shaped by truth, love, and integrity. Your lifestyle, which is clearly visible, will reflect the King’s glory irrespective of a few erroneous doctrinal beliefs. - Training for the future.
Eternal life has a culture. Holiness is learning and practicing the culture of our true home.
Jesus’ strong words—“cut off your hand, pluck out your eye” (Matthew 5:29–30)—aren’t about harming your body, but about taking decisive action to remove whatever drags you away from the King.
How to Live Kingdom-First
1) Daily Allegiance Prayer:
“King Jesus, I belong to You. Your will be done in my thoughts, words, money, and relationships today.” “Your will be done HERE ON EARTH as it is in heaven.”
2) Practice the Beatitudes One by One:
Pick one beatitude each week. Example: “Merciful.” Pray for eyes to see pain; do one mercy-action before sunset.
3) Put Lust/Lies/Greed on a Short Leash:
- Remove access (apps, sites, routes).
- Add accountability (trusted friend, weekly check-in).
- Replace with life (Scripture, service, exercise, sleep).
- (Perhaps the post on “how to resist temptation” would be of further help to you).
4) Seek First in Money:
Practice giving. Set aside a percentage. Budget with eternity in mind. Ask, “Does this purchase move heaven’s mission forward?” Giving towards God’s Kingdom work will leave you at a loss. I’ve been practicing this for decades and I’ve never lacked anything. In fact, I’ve only grown, both in faith and in net worth. Not that I am super rich, but I don’t owe anyone anything. All my family’s needs are always met. Praise God! Our King looks after His citizens extremely well.
5) Forgive Fast:
Don’t rehearse the wound; release it to Jesus. Bless the person in prayer. If needed, set wise boundaries and pursue reconciliation.
6) Make Your Home a Little Embassy:
Pray together. Read a chapter of Scripture aloud. Speak blessing. Keep the atmosphere clean—what you watch, say, and celebrate.
7) Weekly Kingdom Review (15 minutes):
- Who can I serve or encourage next?
- Where did I obey the King this week?
- Where did I resist? What’s the next right step?
Everyday Analogies to Stay Grounded
- Passport check: Before decisions, ask, “Does this look like heaven’s culture?”
- Signal strength: If peace and joy drop, check for “interference”—unconfessed sin, unforgiveness, or worry.
- Road signs: Conviction isn’t condemnation; it’s the King’s sign saying, “Wrong turn—here’s the way back.”
When the Kingdom Feels Small
Maybe you’re discipling one teen, praying with one coworker, or fighting one old habit. Remember the mustard seed. The King loves to grow big things slowly. Your unseen obedience is not wasted.
“Be steadfast… your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” — 1 Corinthians 15:58
A Simple Prayer
King Jesus, Your kingdom come and Your will be done in me today.
Make my heart pure, my mind clear, my hands clean, and my words true.
Let my home and church be a small embassy of heaven—full of mercy, justice, and joy.
I lay down my agenda and choose Yours. Amen.
The Kingdom of Heaven is God’s rule through Jesus, present now and coming in fullness. We enter by repentance and live it out through obedience, purity, mercy, and trust. It grows like seed and works like yeast—quiet but powerful. Choose the King’s way in small daily steps, and your life becomes a living embassy of heaven on earth.
In a Kingdom, it is essential for the King to be absolutely PERFECT in all His ways. An evil king will make the citizen’s lives miserable and we’ve had far too many examples of that in history. But our King, Jesus our Lord is absolutely PERFECT and His Kingdom has no end. He is coming back to establish His Kingdom of heaven here on earth soon and He will rule with righteousness and peace. Come Lord Jesus, Come!