LIVING AS COUNTER-KINGDOM MEN IN A CULTURE OF COMPROMISE
The theological concept of the "already and not yet" Kingdom of God is one of the most profound truths in Christian theology.
George Eldon Ladd, a prominent theologian, is often credited with popularizing this understanding. He taught that the Kingdom of God has already come in the person of Jesus Christ and is also something we are still waiting to see in its fullness.
However, this idea didn’t originate with Ladd. It was Gerhardus Vos, a Princeton theologian, who first introduced it in the early 20th century. Vos believed that we live in the "now," the present age while anticipating the "age to come," the future when God's Kingdom will be fully realized.
Let’s take a moment to grasp the significance of all this. The Kingdom of God has come. The Kingdom is now. It has arrived with Jesus Christ, who brought Heaven to earth. Through His life, death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus revealed the Way to eternal life. Now, it's time for Christian men to live as Counter-Kingdom men to demonstrate the way to a world that so desperately needs a model and example of it!
But what does that look like?
Living Out the Already and Not Yet Life
To be a Counter-Kingdom man is to live in the reality that God's Kingdom is here, yet also still coming. It means living like Jesus already reigns. It's not about waiting for a future paradise but actively living out Kingdom values and principles today. In everything we do—how we live, how we speak, how we interact with others—we are called to reflect the Kingdom even if seems as if it is an upside-down Kingdom to this world.
This world’s kingdom is deteriorating. It is fading away. But there is a Kingdom that lasts forever. Hebrews 13:8 tells us that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." And Psalm 145:13 promises, "Your Kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations." So, while the current culture crumbles under the weight of its selfish desires and false promises, we, as Counter-Kingdom men, are called to live differently.
A Life of Contrast
Living a Counter-Kingdom life is not easy. The world bombards us with messages from media, culture, and other influences that try to shape our behavior. However, Counter-Kingdom men look different, act differently, and talk differently because they live by God's standards. While the world shouts at us to conform, Counter-Kingdom men live circumspectly yet boldly, letting their actions declare that the Kingdom of God is already in their midst.
Being Counter-Kingdom isn’t about engaging in culture wars or arguing with those who think differently. It's about living a life that speaks for itself—a life that shows others there is a better way. It's about reflecting Christ through every interaction, every word, and every decision. Counter-Kingdom men don't have to shout; their lives already say, “God is here!”
How Do We Live as Counter-Kingdom Men?
With so many conflicting messages in today’s world, it's easy to wonder: How do I live out this Counter-Kingdom life? The good news is that the answer is already laid out for us in the Word of God. Every step we need to take is there, and the beauty is that we don’t have to figure it out alone. We have each other.
We can pray for one another, encourage one another, and challenge one another to live as Counter-Kingdom men. Yes, it may seem like the kingdom of this world is winning. It might look like the enemy, the “Prince of the Power of the Air” (Ephesians 2:2), is in control. But God is raising an army—an army of men who are committed to living loyal to His Kingdom. These men will show the world a higher way to live, a better way to exist, a Kingdom way.
Rise Up Counter Kingdom Men
Will you be a part of this movement? Will you stand shoulder to shoulder with men who have chosen to live differently, who have committed to being Counter-Kingdom in a world that desperately needs a different kind of leadership?
We are excited to announce the launch of our new Patros series, Counter Kingdom. This series is designed to equip and inspire men in your community and church to live in the "already and not yet" reality of God’s Kingdom. Counter Kingdom is filled with testimonials, biblical principles, and practical tools to help you become the Counter-Kingdom man God is calling you to be.
As we prepare to release this powerful series next week, we invite you to partner with us in prayer. Pray for the men who will participate, that they will be transformed by the truth of God’s Word. Pray for a movement, that God will raise a generation of men who will not bow to the pressures of culture but will instead live boldly for His Kingdom.
This is not just a series—it's a call to action. It’s an invitation to step into the already and not-yet reality of God's Kingdom and to live in a way that points the world to a better Kingdom. Will you join us?
Let’s pray. Let’s prepare. Let’s live counter-kingdom. The world is waiting for men like you to rise and show them the way of the King. The Kingdom is NOW; the time is NOW!