Last blog I wrote about God’s laws and commandments. I have been frustrated that so many professing Christians pick and choose what rules they think God really meant. Many people only quote verses that further their own personal kingdom, rather than the kingdom of God.

It seems that the Bible and even God have been relegated by much of the population to tools for self-help. When we need encouragement we find it in Scripture. When we are lonely we can pray because God is always there. If someone is ill, we have a Great Physician. No matter what problem we face in our little kingdom we can go to God to seek solace and support.

I am not saying it is bad or wrong to ask God to intervene or help us. He loves His children and desires their best. I am saying that trying to use God as our personal genie to grant our wishes for a perfect life is wrong. It is shallow and self-serving. Christianity is not God endorsing our little kingdom and supporting it, rather it is seeking to be a part of His Kingdom.

So what does it mean to be seeking God’s kingdom? How are we to act as citizens of the heavenly realms?

First, we worship the King. Jesus is the central figure. People are not. I am not. We give honor, glory and praise to Jesus individually and corporately with our hearts, minds, intellect, and will. “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:11, ESV)

Next, we as citizens work for the common good of the kingdom. We need to work in cooperation, as one body, to point others to the greatness of God. We should be doing all we can to lead others to eternal life. “And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3, ESV)

We also need to follow the rules of the kingdom. God’s laws are not always popular, even among His citizens, but they are good. They are good because they provide safety, peace, community, joy and love. A society thrives when the citizens all conform to an honorable set of standards and rules. When people establish their own rules or disregard the rules of the kingdom, we have anarchy.

I often forget that my kingdom is not the one I should be living for. When I forget that I am not the queen of my world, I start to pick and choose which rules of God I want to be part of my kingdom. I need to start every day worshipping the One True God. I also need to make it a priority to cooperate with other kingdom citizens for the common good. I must also seek to know God’s law and follow it, all of it.

“The LORD is my portion; I promise to keep your words. I entreat your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies; I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments.” (Psalm 119:57–60, ESV)