Living in God's Two Kingdoms

“For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.” -Hebrews 13:14

Beloved Kinney,

Sometimes it is difficult to know what our role is in this world. If we are ultimately looking
forward to the New Creation and we are currently citizens of heaven (Phil. 3:20), then
do we just sit back, relax, and wait for Jesus to come back? Of course not. But what is
our role in our workplace, in the culture, in politics, in government, among our
neighbors, in our cities? Are we to have any influence? Any involvement other than
sharing the gospel?

A book that helpfully navigates the topic of cultural engagement is called Living in God’s
Two Kingdoms. The author argues from Scripture that Christians are citizens of two
kingdoms: the kingdom of this present earth that is passing away and the kingdom of
the New Creation that is yet to come. He suggests that we get into trouble when we
confuse these two kingdoms, or worse, we think it is OUR job to conflate the two—as if
we must try to bring the kingdom of God into the kingdom of this world.

Here’s what he says, “The kingdom of God proclaimed by the Lord Jesus Christ is not
built through politics, commerce, music, or sports. Redemption does not consist of
restoring people to Adam’s original task, but consists in the Lord Jesus Christ himself
fulfilling Adam’s original task once and for all, on our behalf. Thus redemption is not
‘creation regained’ but ‘re-creation gained.’” (pg.26)

In other words, it is NOT our job to bring humanity back to the garden of Eden (as some
Christians think). That’s the job of Jesus. Our job now is to live as faithful disciples of the
kingdom to come IN this present kingdom. We represent King Jesus in this earthly
kingdom.

May we do that in our jobs, homes, hobbies, and friend groups. May we represent King
Jesus in this earthly kingdom while we wait for the kingdom to come!

Love,
Pastor Josh