Kingdom Myth 4. Christians are called to build the kingdom.
Young people are often captured by a vision to improve the world.
When they get older, however, most of them realize that the vision was mostly informed by idealism. There may have been progress made, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s a dent.
The problems of injustice, oppression, racism, sexism, hatred, violence, and war have been with us since the fall. (The first child ever born into this world was a murderer.)
These problems will always be with us until Christ returns and sets all things right.
While there have been improvements to society, few if any of them have brought Jesus Christ into unmistakable prominence.
The kingdom message of the New Testament isn’t about “building” the kingdom. It’s one of “manifesting” the kingdom by being an alternative to the world system, and then demonstrating the grace and glory of the King to society as the Spirit leads.
It’s about living in, as, and for the kingdom of God in the midst of a fallen world.
If you study all the references in the New Testament on the kingdom, you will never see a single text that says we are to “build” the kingdom.
God is the one who advances His kingdom, and we are called to cooperate with Him by submitting to the lordship of Christ individually and collectively (as a local community of believers).
So God builds the kingdom. We simply labor with Him in this work.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Similar to preparing an omelette, we can prep the onions, slice the tomatoes, chop up the garlic, mix the eggs with milk, but only God can put it all together to build the omelette.
Therefore, we can build for the kingdom, but only the Lord builds His kingdom.
As E. Stanley Jones once put it, “In the New Testament, we’re told to ‘see,’ ‘enter,’ ‘proclaim,’ and ‘suffer for’ the Kingdom, but never to ‘build’ it.”
Stay tuned for next week’s installment – it’s perhaps the most controversial.
Click here for all the articles in the Kingdom of God Series
So few people still stand for the truth, thank you for standing!
Thank you for writing this. It is so well put!
I agree with what you have written. The Kingdom advances throughout the world, and the Lord is the One Who advances it. As we submit to the Lordship of Jesus, His Kingdom is manifested as His will is done in our lives. Somehow we think we are in “control” of the Kingdom, when in reality it has always been the King Who is in control. Thank you for this article!
Hi frank. .
Just a quick question….more on the wording than anything.
I get God builds the kingdom but when you say we partner with Him in His work.
Is this not advancing the kingdom?
I always figured we are ambassadors which is like you mentoredhere. …
The kingdom message of the New Testament isn’t about “building” the kingdom. It’s one of “manifesting” the kingdom by being an alternative to the world system, and then demonstrating the grace and glory of the King to society as the Spirit leads.
Love this quote.
Or maybe i am thinking of advancing in the terms of spreading the knowledge of the kingdom.
How do you view terms like heaven on earth?
(Think i might have answered my question in typing. ..lol. .
Great articles these dispelling kingdom myths
Great work Frank
God advances/builds the kingdom. We co-labor with Him in that work, but it’s His work, not ours. (Unless the Lord builds … we labor in vain.)
Glad you’re enjoying the series. The upcoming book goes into far more detail. It’s being edited as I write this.
Dear Frank,
Happy Thanksgiving.
I am a former missionary to Cambodia, studied at GCTS and am a deacon in our SBC church. And, I feel a sense of solidarity with the original intent of Black Lives Matter as do some of my Black friends who are solid evangelicals. I recognize that BLM has been coopted by more radical elements and so its image has been marred by those who seek to undermine the basic message. Most of my white brothers do not agree with me on this issue but we still have good and respectful fellowship in our weekly meetings over coffee.
Your thoughts?
Shalom in Jesus Name
Darrell, I address these sorts movements and groups in some of the other installments of the kingdom series. Please read them all and you will have your answer, my friend. https://www.frankviola.org/kingdom – also be sure to listen to the audio message, “A Clash Between Kingdoms.”
Really appreciate your view on the subject. Well thought out and presented, as usual.
Thanks for “getting it,” Steve. I’d say that each blog post in the kingdom series must be read with the others, lest misunderstanding emerge. In trying to keep each of them short, I can’t cover every angle. But the upcoming book (due out Summer 2018) will discuss every aspect.