The United Kingdom (UK) is not living up to its name. Increasing political tension and unrest may in the not-too-distant future see the UK fragment back into individual nations. At heart, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England have a desire to one-day exist as separate entities, not as one.

In February last year, Bloomberg columnist, Max Hastings, wrote… “The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland… have never lived entirely comfortably together, and are now dangerously close to an existential crisis. There is a real prospect that within a decade or two, the country that Shakespeare never thought of calling anything save England could become England once again.”

The United Kingdom is not UNITED… and, it’s not a KINGDOM! It’s not functioning as a true ‘kingdom’ should. Constitutionally installed in 1953, Queen Elizabeth II reigns in the UK as a puppet monarch. In the exercise of the monarchy, Queen Elizabeth has a role to play… a limited role that is solely determined by parliament… a role that permits her to ‘look’ the part but denies her the right and power to ‘play’ the part. Queen Elizabeth is the reigning monarch of her kingdom, but is not the ruler!

A simple-minded commoner like me sees a problem with this neat-looking arrangement? My pocket dictionary defines “monarch” as “a sovereign ruler of a state”. In my understanding, if Queen Elizabeth is denied absolute authority to rule within her domain, then she is not a true monarch. (“Ruler” and “Monarch” are synonymous… both words have the same meaning!)

The main thrust of Jesus’ public teaching was the presentation and promotion of the Kingdom of God – inviting those damaged and dissatisfied with the kingdom of Satan to exit and accept Jesus’ invitation to become subjects of His Kingdom (Mark 1:15.) Unlike Queen Elizabeth, Jesus, as Creator and Sustainer of the Universe, has the right and might to reign and rule as unrivalled King within His Kingdom.

The Kingdom of God is not a geographical domain. It’s a domain of the human head, heart, and spirit. The Kingdom of God is for everyone, but is not forced upon anyone. The Kingdom of God comprises of repentant sinners who have freely chosen to live as willing, submissive subjects of the Supreme Ruler of the Universe.

Friends, there are many today, both inside and outside the church, who are comfortable with Jesus being their reigning monarch but who refuse to allow Him to be their ruling monarch… Seriously, this is gross STUPIDITY, FOOLHARDY, DANGEROUS… downright DEADLY! The bottom line is this: If Jesus is not the ruler of your whole life, He’s not the One who reigns in any part of your life.

To which kingdom do you presently belong? Who reigns in your kingdom? Who rules in your kingdom? The well-being and security of your life, present and future, is dependent upon you being a subject of ‘the kingdom’ where the right Person reigns and rules. (Continuing Part 2 next week)

Best wishes,
Bill