We Have a King…
Christ’s Kingdom and the Nature of Human Allegiance
A fundamental presupposition of Christian thought is the recognition that believers are not merely inhabitants of this temporal world but citizens of an eschatological reality—the Kingdom of Christ. This designation is not merely symbolic; rather, it conveys ontological and ethical imperatives. Christ, as sovereign, possesses absolute authority, and His rule is not passive but actively delineates the moral and spiritual obligations of His subjects. The Scriptures are unequivocal: the King has spoken. The question remains—are we attuned to His voice?
The Human Condition and the Necessity of Redemption
The biblical narrative presents an unambiguous anthropology: humanity is fallen. The doctrine of original sin asserts that human beings are not merely practitioners of sin by volition but possess an inherent depravity—a disposition that predisposes them toward rebellion against divine authority. As Augustine articulated, the will itself is in bondage, and apart from divine intervention, humanity remains enslaved to sin (cf. John 8:34, Romans 6:20). The unregenerate state is not neutral; it is one of enmity against God (Romans 8:7).
Yet, this state of bondage is not merely an individual predicament but part of a larger cosmic order. The Scriptures depict Satan as the "god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4), a designation that does not ascribe to him ontological parity with Christ but rather acknowledges his temporal and derivative influence. His dominion, however, is contingent and ultimately subordinate to divine sovereignty. Nevertheless, the unredeemed, by virtue of their sin nature, functionally participate in a kingdom that stands in active opposition to the reign of Christ.
The Supremacy of Christ and the Defeat of the Powers
Against this backdrop of human rebellion and satanic influence, the incarnation and atoning work of Christ emerge as the pivotal intervention in cosmic history. Christ’s authority is not merely asserted but demonstrably exercised: He commands demons, and they submit; He rebukes the elements, and they obey. The Gospels present a Christology in which the authority of Jesus is so absolute that even Satan himself is subject to His decrees (Matthew 4:10).
Crucially, the cross represents not only an act of vicarious atonement but also a definitive conquest over the principalities and powers (Colossians 2:15). Through His death and resurrection, Christ renders the power of sin and death void, effectively disarming Satan’s claim over humanity. The so-called "kingdom" of darkness is exposed as a usurpation, devoid of legitimacy, upheld only by the willing participation of its captive subjects. Christ’s redemptive work is, therefore, not simply transactional but transformational, transferring individuals from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of light (Colossians 1:13).
The Ethical and Existential Implications of Kingdom Citizenship
For those who have been redeemed, the implications are profound. The believer’s fundamental identity is no longer that of an autonomous agent but of a subject in service to a sovereign. Paul’s language of "slavery to righteousness" (Romans 6:18) is not hyperbolic but reflects the radical reorientation of the will post-conversion. This transformation is not merely juridical but ontological—believers are regenerated, endowed with a new nature consonant with the reality of their heavenly citizenship.
Consequently, allegiance to Christ necessitates a corresponding disavowal of the world’s values and ideologies. Jesus Himself asserts that His followers "are not of this world" (John 17:16), a statement that carries both theological and ethical weight. The Christian is called to a distinct mode of existence, one characterized by conformity to Christ rather than assimilation to secular paradigms (Romans 12:2). The expression of this allegiance is obedience—not as legalistic adherence but as a manifestation of love (John 14:15).
The Christian life is, at its core, an act of total submission to Christ’s lordship. This submission is not coerced but is the natural response of those who have been redeemed by grace. The believer’s life is no longer self-directed; it is Christ-directed. Every competing authority is subordinated to His sovereign rule. Thus, the call of the Gospel is not merely an invitation to salvation but a summons to radical discipleship—a life lived in fidelity to the true King, whose kingdom is both present and yet to come.
