The Kingdom Without the King

Justice and the equitable distribution of resources—ensuring that everyone, everywhere, benefits—once seemed to me the highest vision of human progress. Such ideals, I believed, would elevate people from being mere candidates for exploitation and violence to becoming dignified participants in a just world. I was drawn to a community that valued authenticity—where individuals could be seen for who they truly are, where self-expression was welcomed without condemnation, and where grievances could be voiced within a framework of fairness and respect.

These became the kind of ideals I cherished deeply as a college student. Looking back, I realize now that I was enamored with the vision of the Kingdom—justice, dignity, equality—yet I resisted the claims of the King who alone can make such a Kingdom possible. It was, in hindsight, a narrow and selective pursuit—a blurred reflection of divine revelation—where I desired the blessings of God’s rule without surrendering to His rule itself.

I may have been naïve, but I was sincere in my pursuit. I felt the tension between my religious upbringing and the realities I was beginning to grasp. At times, I felt helpless, wanting to engage proactively in expressing my “truth” against those in political authority. Little did I realize that God was sparing my life for a greater Kingdom purpose, where His Truth would become the core of my calling. Indeed, “A person plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9, NET).

I eventually came to understand that my worldview at the time fell short of addressing the ills of society comprehensively because it failed to account for the one factor that has distorted every facet of life—sin.

Seeing the world through the lens of a biblical worldview necessarily acknowledges the rule of the King of the Kingdom—Jesus Christ. He is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6), and everything else finds its rightful place when seeking His Kingdom becomes our priority. For as He promised, “All these things will be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).

—Pastor Lim.