As we continue with our discussion, one of the main questions we’d like to deal with is what Kingdom culture is as one of important aspects of the operations of the Kingdom. You can’t however understand the culture if you missed our last post on the setup of the Kingdom.
We all know that every kingdom has its own culture which differentiates one kingdom from the other. As it is said “Culture is supreme” we must respect people’s culture even if it doesn’t seem to make sense to us at a given time. Also, we have heard this statement many times “when you go to Rome, do as the Romans does.” This has much to do with culture which you find yourself in. In other words, if you travel to a different country from yours, the best you can do is to learn and accept those people’s culture instead fighting it.
What is the Biblical Basis for Kingdom Culture?
What is Kingdom culture according to the bible? In Ephesians 4:17-31, Paul in this passage describes the Kingdom Culture and Lifestyle. What does this mean? In God’s Kingdom there is a culture too which when you accept Christ and become a member of the Kingdom you must learn and adopt otherwise you will not fit and enjoy the fruits of the Kingdom.
Jesus in Matthew 4:17, started His ministry by saying “Repent for the Kingdom of God is near.” So the first step to enter int the Kingdom culture is through repentance.
The Kingdom headquarters is the THRONE of God. In Isaiah 6:1-3; Revelation 4; 5; 21:10 describes how the throne looks like. The Kingdom culture originates from the Throne of God, as the headquarters. But first, we must understand what we mean by the “The KINGDOM of God.” Simply it means the influence of the Kingdom of God here on earth.
My home country Kenya was first colonized by Britain. The first thing the British government did to their colonies is to bring the influence of their culture. The governor’s work was to bring the British culture like wearing suits, drinking tea in the morning, driving on the left side of the road, our buildings, education, etc.
In the same way, when Jesus came here on earth, he brought God’s Kingdom culture here on earth by demonstrating, teaching, and showing by examples how it practically works. He chose the twelve disciples and stayed with them for around three years, training them and showing them what exactly he means by the Kingdom of God.
At His ascension, He gave these disciples power and authority to continue teaching and influencing the entire world with the same Kingdom of God ie the Gospel. That is why in Matthew 28:18-20, He gave them the Great Commission of reaching out to the nations of the world with the gospel baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
In creation, Eden was a setup of “God’s Kingdom” where man would literally experience the influence of God’s culture. The word “Eden” means “Paradise”. Eden was an extension of heaven here on earth until when sin came about.
Satan in the same way he wanted to overthrow God in heaven (Ezekiel 28:14-17; Revelation 12:7-10) in the same way he purposed to overthrow man from God’s presence in Eden. He corrupted man’s loyalty to God and that resulted to man being expulsion from Eden.
Sin therefore corrupted God’s culture in Eden and man was banished from the presence of God. Though man tried to reach out to God it was not possible until God Himself came up with a way out. He sent His only Son to do it (John 3:16). When Jesus came on the world and finished the work of the cross, after ascension, Jesus came taught about the message of repentance and allow the Kingdom of God to come.
How the Kingdom Influences Your Lifestyle
In Acts 1:8, the Word of God teaches that the Holy Spirit gives power (once He comes upon a believer). This power helps one live as per the Kingdom culture.
Culture determines the following: –
1. Dressing code
We can easily differentiate cultures by the mode of dressing portrayed. In the Exodus 28:2; 29:5; 31:10; 35:19; 39:1; Leviticus 8:7-9,30; 16:32; Numbers 20:16-28, we learn that the Levites had a mode of dressing, that is God required them to put on certain garments while in service.
Dressing is not just dressing; every dressing is significant and passes a certain message. For example, you will easily spot a doctor, policeman, a clergy, etc from the crowd just by their dressing. In the book of Revelation 19:7-8, the bible says, Let us rejoice and be glad for the wedding of the Lamb has come and the bride (the church) has made herself ready.
How has she made herself ready? She was given white linen and clean clothes to wear. Verse 8 says, fine linen is the righteous acts of God’s people. This is the Kingdom’s dressing code without which no one will see God (Hebrews 12:14; 1Peter 1:15-16).
2. Language
What is language? From Oxford Dictionary (online) “Language” is the system of communication in speech and writing that is used by people of a particular country or area. Every kingdom has it’s own official language. English is the official language in England but when you go to any country in the Middle East, the official language changes to Arabic.
In same way, in the Kingdom of God, the official language is FAITH. Paul says in 2Corinthians 5:7, that we live by faith not by sight. Why is faith our heavenly language? In Genesis 1, God created the heavens and the earth by speaking. He just said let there be, and there was.
God created us in His own likeness and image (Genesis 1:26), able to speak things and they will be – just like our God/Father. When we encounter issues in our lives, we must NOT complain like the Isrealites did in Numbers 14:26-30 instead we should speak FAITH just like job did (job 19:25-27).
3. Food
Most cultures have their own specific food they prefer. For example, in my culture, our staple food is ‘muthokoi’ and different cultures of the world have different preferences of food. Even though we may argue that modernization has transformed cultures, they are still in operation.
Life is spiritual and we know that the physical world is a photocopy of the spiritual. God in the desert provided manna (bread) to the Israelites (Exodus 16:35). Manna was a heavenly prepared meal (Psalm 78:24) which was not supposed to be stored for the next day.
In the same way, in this Kingdom, our spiritual food is the Word of God which is the bread of life. John in John 6:25-59 describes Jesus (the WORD) as the bread of life. Whoever feeds on this bread will not die but will have eternal life. Jesus also as He talked to the Samaritan woman in the well told her that He was the living water and whoever drinks this water will never thirst again (John 4:13-14; 7:37-39).
4. Citizenship
Another important aspect is how to attain citizenship in cultures. I’ve come realize that every kingdom has their own stipulated guidelines on how to become a valid citizen. In some cultures, it’s about the applying to be a citizen while others, you become a citizen by birth. In still other cultures, the longer you stay in the country the more chances you have to become a citizen; but in others you cannot be one regardless of how long you stay.
Regarding God’s Kingdom, Paul said that our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). But someone may want to know how do you become a citizen? By getting born again. I’ve discussed this in detail in “How To Receive Jesus As Savior.” Romans 10:9, says that if you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved.
5. Rites of passage
First, what is rite of passage? From Online Oxford Dictionary, it’s a ceremony or event marking an important stage in someone’s life, especially birth, the transition from childhood to adulthood, marriage, and death.
I’ve observed that in every culture there is a process and way things are done to graduate someone from childhood to adulthood. It has been noted that in many African cultures especially in my country, young men and women undergo a certain rights of passage.
In same way, in God’s Kingdom I’ve observed that when people get saved, they are taken through a training process by the help of the Holy Spirit. Paul talked about working salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:13). When one undergoes training.
Every believer must undergo spiritual training in this Kingdom. However, each person’s training is different from the other depending on the mandate God has for each person. No one is an after thought for God, He created each person for a divine purpose and each purpose (destiny) requires it’s unique training.
6. Inheritance
As we know, to inherit is to acquire money, wealth, titles, etc by a heir after the demise of the holder. In most cultures, there is a clear and a well stipulated process of inheritance. For the sake of this topic, personally, I have a inheritance (land) as a heir from my father. Most fathers in many cultures will have something to handover to their heirs.
Amazingly, this is not different with the heavenly Kingdom. When Jesus died on the cross and purchased us from sin, by receiving Him we became children of God (John 1:12). We therefore were adopted to God’s family (Ephesians 1:5-7) and became heirs and co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:15-17). This means that we gained all rights to become sons of the Kingdom.
What does this mean then? You must understand first that though an heir, you must seek to live according to the demands of the kingdom. One, you must grow to maturity to inherit (Philippians 2:13; Galatians 4:1-3), two, you must live a holy life, for our King is holy (1Peter 1:15-16); three, you must be ready to serve in the Kingdom. You were called to bear fruit not to stay idle in the Kingdom (John 15:7-8). There is enough work for you to do in the Kingdom which was prepared for you in advance (Ephesians 2:13).
What are we to inherit? First, His sufferings (Romans 8:17; 2Corinthias 1:5), secondly, His glory (Romans 8:17; 1Peter 4:13), thirdly we shall reign with Him (2Timothy 2:12), fourthly, we will be repaid according to your deeds (Romans 2:6).
In Conclusion
In this post we discussed and answered the question, what is Kingdom culture. We have looked at multiple scriptures that teach us that once we accept the Lord Jesus as our Savior (first step), and the Holy Spirit indwells us, He transforms us to be like Jesus – our Master.
Paul’s desire and should be our desire is to know Christ and His power of resurrection (Philippians 3:10). No body met Christ and remained the same, and this act of undergoing change to be like our Master is simply what we call the culture of the Kingdom – becoming like our King.
The fundamental step to get started is to Accept Christ to become Lord and Savior. Click HERE to receive Jesus.
