As a citizen, it is essential that you learn the culture, laws, principles, and way of life that govern this Kingdom. This is essential to your spiritual development.
Learning the Kingdom as a New Citizen
When you were born again, you didn’t just receive forgiveness—you entered into a new Kingdom and a new way of life. Just like moving to a new country, you must learn the language, customs, and laws of this Kingdom in order to thrive.
1. Understanding the King
The Bible is a book of life, the story of redemption, a book of governance, and a manual for Kingdom living. Every Kingdom has a King, and in God’s Kingdom, Jesus Christ is Lord. To know the Kingdom, you must first know the King. Spend time in His Word, learning His character, His commands, and His promises.
Yes, the Bible contains governance—it gives us the principles, laws, and order by which the Kingdom of God operates. But it is not governance in a dry, legalistic sense—it is instruction for abundant living in fellowship with God.
2. Learning the Language
The language of the Kingdom is faith. As a new believer, you learn to speak (and believe) words of life, hope, and truth rather than fear, doubt, and negativity. Your confession should align with God’s Word. Life and death are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21).
3. Embracing the Culture
This Kingdom culture will often look different from the world’s culture, but it reflects the heart of God. Allow His Holy Spirit to transform your thoughts, attitudes, and actions.
The Bible shows us that God’s plan is not just to take us to heaven one day, but to bring heaven’s reality into the earth through us. Jesus taught us to pray: “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).
This means believers are ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). Just as an ambassador represents their nation in a foreign land, we represent the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth through demonstrating God's heart, victorious living, and serving others. Our responsibility is to spread the culture. This is how the Kingdom expands—by influence and transformation.
4. Following the Laws and Principles
The Law of Love – Loving God and loving people (Matthew 22:37–39).
The Law of Faith – Trusting and believing God’s Word above all (Hebrews 11:6).
The Principle of Sowing and Reaping – What you give, whether in words, actions, or resources, comes back to you (Galatians 6:7).
5. Developing the Lifestyle
Prayer – Communicating daily with God. Prayer is talking and listening to God, growing in your relationship with Him.
Scripture: Philippians 4:6 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Worship – Honoring God with your heart and lifestyle.
Obedience – Submitting to God’s Word in your choices.
Community – Building relationships with your Kingdom family.
6. Baptism
Baptism is an outward step of obedience that shows your new life in Christ.
Scripture: Acts 2:38 – “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”
Baptism is an outward act that shows what has happened inside a believer’s heart. When you are baptized, you publicly declare your faith in Christ and identify with Him in His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4). Through baptism, you are showing that your old life is gone and that you are beginning a new life in Christ. It is not what saves you—salvation comes through faith in Jesus—but it is a step that demonstrates your commitment to follow Him (Acts 2:38; Matthew 28:19-20). Baptism also connects you to the family of believers, the church, where you can grow, serve, and walk in God’s ways together (1 Corinthians 12:13). It is a powerful symbol of God’s forgiveness, grace, and the new life He gives.
Other suggested practices
Study the Bible
Get to know God personally by learning His ways through scripture.
Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”
Join a Local Church Family
Fellowship with other believers helps you grow, serve, and stay strong in faith.
Scripture: Hebrews 10:24-25 – “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together.”
Live Out Your Faith
Show God’s love in your actions—serve others, share your faith, and walk in obedience.
Scripture: James 2:17 – “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
Grow in the Spirit
Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you, develop your character, and produce fruit in your life.
Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”