Does God want Christians to establish the kingdom and force people to obey God's laws?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible consistently teaches that the kingdom of God is not established through human strength or political domination. Jesus rejected any effort to make Him a king, insisting that His kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36). The early church followed this example, spreading the gospel through witness and sacrificial love, not social control. Paul instructed believers to submit to governing authorities rather than try to overtake them (Romans 13:1–7), and he emphasized spiritual warfare, not physical conquest (2 Corinthians 10:3-6; Ephesians 6:12). Christians are to be lights in the world, pointing people to Christ through godliness and grace (Matthew 5:14). True transformation only comes through regeneration by the Holy Spirit, not external law (2 Corinthians 5:17). While Christians should influence culture through righteousness and truth, God has not called the church to establish His kingdom by force—but to proclaim it through the gospel.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Israel was a theocracy, meaning it was (originally) ruled by God, but its purpose was unique within redemptive history. God chose Israel to be His covenant people and gave them His law as part of that national identity (Deuteronomy 7:6). Those laws were to set Israel apart from other nations (Leviticus 20:26) such that other nations would learn about God by looking to Israel (Deuteronomy 4:6-8).
• Even in that context, God desired heartfelt obedience, not mere legal compliance (Deuteronomy 10:16). Inward transformation is God’s goal. An external, national conformity was never sufficient to be a godly kingdom.
• The prophets repeatedly rebuked the people for relying on ritual and force while neglecting justice and mercy. Isaiah 1:13-17 condemns sacrifices offered by those who ignored the oppressed. God’s concern was never just about establishing laws but about forming people whose hearts delighted to obey His laws (Psalm 40:8). Because of Israel’s ongoing rebellion, God prophesied a New Covenant where His law would be written on the heart (Jeremiah 31:33).
• In Daniel 2:44, the prophet declares that God will one day set up a kingdom “which will never be destroyed,” and it will “crush and put an end to all these kingdoms.” Yet this kingdom is established by God alone—not through human conquest or legislation (Daniel 7:13b–14a). In context, the Son of Man (later revealed as Jesus) comes before the Ancient of Days (later revealed as the Father). It is the Father who gives Jesus the kingdom. There is no human involvement in the process. Indeed, that kingdom is said to be a “stone … cut out by no human hand” (Danial 2:34), meaning that it will not be a kingdom brought about by human effort.
• Micah 6:8 offers a concise summary of Old Testament spirituality: doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God. The spiritual life God desires cannot be legislated into existence—it must be born of a changed heart.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Jesus constantly resisted attempts to redirect His mission into political categories: “Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself” (John 6:15). Jesus rejected human efforts to make a kingdom.
• When Pilate asked about Jesus’ kingdom, Jesus responded, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world” (John 18:36). While Jesus’ kingdom will eventually come to this earth (see Revelation 20), it is not built in this world.
• Instead of military conquest, Jesus called His followers to self-denial, humility, and witness (Luke 9:23; Matthew 28:19-20).
• At Pentecost, Peter didn’t rally political activism; he preached repentance and faith in Christ (Acts 2:38-41). Throughout Acts, the apostles focused on spiritual transformation, even in the face of persecution.
• Paul’s letters never encourage political takeover. Instead, he emphasized submission to the existing civil authorities and structures (Romans 13:1-7) and prayer for peace so the gospel could advance in the kingdom in power at that time (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
• Importantly, Paul described the church’s task as spiritual warfare, not a political battle (2 Corinthians 10:3-6).
• Paul reminded Timothy that the Lord’s servant must be kind, patient, and gentle, aiming not to win arguments but to help others come to repentance and truth (2 Timothy 2:24-26). The believer’s focus should be on heart transformation through the Gospel, not outward or forced conformity.
• While Christians should speak truth into the culture and model righteousness, Jesus sent His disciples to make disciples, not conquer nations (Matthew 28:19-20). Our kingdom witness grows not through domination but through humility, love, and faithfulness.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

This question has serious implications for how you live as a Christian in a politically charged world. It is tempting to think that if we can just pass the right laws or win the right battles, we can make people obey God. But this confuses the nature of the kingdom, the depravity of men and women (Romans 3:10-18), and misrepresents your mission.

God’s kingdom is not built by power or control but by the Spirit working through the Word. You are not called to enforce righteousness but to proclaim the gospel and live it out. This means focusing on discipleship more than legislation, on transformation more than compliance.

You can—and should—engage with your culture. Voting, speaking truth, and seeking justice are all good and necessary. But your hope must remain anchored in Christ, not in courts or political parties. Laws can restrain evil, but only the gospel can give life.

Practically, this means resisting the urge to view unbelievers as enemies to conquer. They are not the problem—they are the mission. God has placed you in this time and culture not to take it over, but to shine a light in its darkness. Live in a way that provokes questions, offers hope, and points clearly to the King who rules by grace, not force.

UNDERSTAND

• God’s kingdom is spiritual, not political.
• God’s kingdom advances through gospel proclamation—not coercion or law enforcement.
• Christians are called to influence culture by living faithfully and making disciples, not by establishing God’s kingdom through human authority.

REFLECT

• How have you been tempted to focus on political power rather than spiritual witness to advance God's kingdom?
• How are you living as salt and light in your community?
• What steps can you take to keep your focus on gospel transformation rather than external conformity?

ENGAGE

• How does the distinction between God’s spiritual kingdom and earthly kingdoms shape the way we engage with politics and culture?
• What examples from Scripture challenge the idea of using force or legislation to produce righteousness in society?
• How can believers effectively influence the world today without compromising the mission of proclaiming the gospel?