Jesus began His ministry by proclaiming that the Kingdom of God was near. Also known as the reign of God, this concept raises an essential question: Why should I let God reign over my life?
Heaven or Hell
Many people believe that Christianity is about doing good to earn a place in heaven and avoid hell. However, this is a misconception. Jesus taught that the Kingdom of God is here and now—a reality we can strive for in this life and anticipate in the next. But why should we even bother?
You don’t have to look far to see glimpses of hell: war zones, famine-stricken areas, disease, and addiction. These are all manifestations of hell on earth. Conversely, the Kingdom of God offers a vision of heaven—a place of eternal bliss and happiness. Naturally, we would prefer heaven over hell. But is fear of hell the only reason to let God rule our lives?
Why Does God Want to Reign in Our Lives?
Fulfillment
God, as our creator, knows us better than we know ourselves. Allowing Him to reign in our lives enables us to reach our ultimate potential—the potential He created us for. By entering His kingdom, we strive for the best possible version of ourselves according to His principles and standards, not merely human ones.
The Reality
As Frank Sheed states in his book Theology and Sanity, we are upheld in existence by God every moment. Acknowledging this reality is the sanest approach to life. Ignoring it leads to sin, or separation from God, which disrupts the natural order of our existence.
Mode of Being
Jordan Peterson describes Christianity as a mode of being. I would agree and add that it is more than an ideology or mindset. God is real, present, active, supernatural, and powerful. When we allow God to reign, we adopt His attributes and values as guiding principles in our lives, aligning ourselves with His revealed will throughout history—from the Hebrews and ancient Israelites to Jesus’ time under Roman rule.
In Jesus, we see the ultimate potential we should aim for: serving others selflessly, even to the point of death.
Relationship
Entering God’s kingdom means entering into a relationship with Him. God helps those who choose to follow Him because He is our Father, and we are His children. This relationship transforms and empowers us to live up to the potential He envisions for us.