What do you think the kingdom of God is like?

No really, think about it. Imagine what it feels like, what it will sound like, perhaps even what it would smell like. This little exercise gives voice to a longing in our hearts—a longing for the peace that will be reality when Jesus returns and fully establishes His kingdom. We always long for peace, but even more so when the cultural climate feels polarized. Peace may feel distant. 

If you spend any time on social media, it’s no secret that opinions are polarized. Likely you have noticed Christians you know and trust holding opposite political opinions despite being indwelled by the same Holy Spirit. Social media posts claim that you must be all for one party and all against another. There seems little space for nuance, little tolerance for moderate opinions—leaving some Christians deeply confused. Christianity seems to be conflated with one political party or another. 

Perhaps you have heard God’s name used, or His Word quoted, for political gain. The problem here is that Scripture is quoted but the heart of God is missed. Jesus describes Himself as  “lowly and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29). Jesus is moved toward sinners with intrinsic compassion.  His kingdom is not marked by divisiveness, but rather by peace. His kingdom is what we crave—it’s the answer to the longing we feel as our hearts break at injustice, harsh rhetoric, and chaos. 

In these moments, God’s kingdom can feel distant. Sometimes, it feels deeply confusing to know what to do, what to think, or what to say amidst such a polarizing environment. To figure out a way forward, we must go back to the basics of our faith. We must remember the character of the King we serve, and His kingdom to which we ultimately belong. As we do so, we can best understand how to move forward as an ambassador of God’s kingdom. 

Christ is Your King

One of Jesus’s last messages to the disciples before He ascends to heaven is this: “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18). Jesus sits at the right hand of God—He has ultimate authority. That means that if you call Jesus your Lord and Savior, He is your King. Jesus not only has authority over the world, He has authority over your personal life—over your decisions, your words, and your actions. You report, ultimately, to Him. 

However, Jesus is not just a King to whom you report. He is a King who cares for you. He is a King who has proven His love for you with the sacrifice of His life. Jesus is not looking out for His own good, but rather He is for the good of His people. Jesus is humble, compassionate, gentle, kind, and patient—the kind of King whom it’s a joy to serve. 

When the divisiveness of the world feels overwhelming, you can take a deep breath and fix your mind on your King—the King who holds ultimate authority and will work everything out for the good of those who love God and for the glory of our Heavenly Father (Romans 8:28). 

The authority of earthly kings, presidents, and leaders will all come to an end. But Jesus is King forever. When the world feels like it’s falling apart, we can trust that our good King is in control. 

We Live for a Kingdom Not of This World

Knowing that you have a King who is not of this world reminds you that you live for a kingdom not of this world. You have a hope beyond political party and legislation. Your hope is Christ and the promise that He will return. And when He does, He will rid the world of evil and establish His kingdom in full. Your hope is in heaven. This longing you feel for peace is a longing for your true home. 

When you feel the burden of a divisive world, you can turn your eyes to heaven to recalibrate your hope. One day, your tears will be wiped. There will be no more grieving—no more pain. God will make all things new. The struggles of today are temporary, for Christ has overcome the world (John 16:33). You can remember that peace in God’s presence is your future, and your reality right now as you turn to Him in prayer and lay your burdens at His feet. 

We are Ambassadors of His Kingdom 

Scripture teaches us that our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). We belong to heaven. Here, while we are awaiting our home, we get to be ambassadors of this heavenly kingdom right where we are (2 Corinthians 5:20). An ambassador is someone sent to a foreign country as a representative of their home. We represent heaven. We represent Christ, our King. This gives us an incredible perspective for when we face political strife. Our attitudes, our words, and our actions represent our God. God has given us the Holy Spirit so that we may walk with Him even through challenging conversations. We don’t have to be afraid of this pressure, but rather it is an opportunity to ask for God’s help. He promises to give wisdom generously (James 1:5) and to give us everything required for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). That means He will give us the self-control to respond gently rather than with anger. He will give us the patience to listen rather than simply share our opinions. He will guide us as we seek to respond with kindness and love—as we seek to be peacemakers. 

The simple truth is this: Oftentimes we do not slow down long enough to let the hope of the gospel affect the way we live. We don’t slow down enough to pray. When we feel burdened by politics or culture, the most important and practical step we can take is to get on our knees and bring the circumstance before God. Here, in prayer, God often gives us the clarity and peace that we need to take the next right step. If you are convicted to respond or share truth, here are a few questions you may ask yourself: 

• Have I listened long enough to understand another’s opinion?

• Is my heart humble right now? Is there any pride that is fueling my desire to respond?

• How might I share the truth of the gospel in a way that shows love and dignity to the person I am responding to?

• What does my response say about Christ and His kingdom?

Jesus says that the kingdom of heaven belongs to peacemakers. This does not mean that we must dilute our convictions or soften truth. But it does mean that if we must respond, we should do so with humility and gentleness. A gospel perspective is a gift from God to be cherished, not a hammer with which to beat. Yes, we are lowly recipients of the gift of salvation that we do not deserve—a gift we desire for everyone to receive. 

If we must boast, let us boast in the Lord. If we must glorify anyone, may we glorify Christ. If we must stand for something, let it be the truth from God’s Word. If we must respond, let us respond with humility and grace. If we must look forward, let it not be to an election or an outcome, let us look forward to heaven.  If we must hope, let us hope In Christ’s kingdom come. 

Author Bio:

Katie is a Staff Writer at The Daily Grace Co.® She lives in Surf City, North Carolina with her husband and three kids. She is passionate about helping women see God’s faithfulness woven through the whole story of Scripture—and how that same faithfulness meets them personally in their everyday lives. When she’s not writing or teaching, you’ll likely find her exploring the beaches of her coastal town or enjoying a cup of locally brewed coffee with friends.

Additional Resources for Standing Firm in God’s Word:

James Bible Study		Fighting with Faith | Philippians Study		In Christ Alone | Romans Bible Study		Eden to Eternity | Chronological Year-Long Digital Bible Study | Bundle
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