When we say, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10, NKJV), we often think of the future—something that will happen one day in heaven. But this part of the Lord’s Prayer is about much more than a distant reality. It’s about inviting God’s rule into our lives today, right here on Earth. And it starts with the most personal part of our lives: our relationships. That was the topic in yesterday’s service by Pastor Larry Elliott, which you can watch online here.
The Passion Translation puts it like this: “Manifest your kingdom realm, and cause your every purpose to be fulfilled on earth, just as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10 TPT). In simpler terms, it’s asking God to bring His way of doing things into our everyday world. That means living out His culture—His values—in how we treat others. But here’s the thing: for God’s culture to spread globally, it has to start with you and me.
Real change begins when we take responsibility for our actions and allow God to guide how we live and interact with those around us. Maturity plays a big role in this process because as we grow in faith, we learn to trust God’s will in our relationships.
The Key to Building Kingdom Relationships | Maturity and Growth
To truly see God’s kingdom in our relationships, we need to grow and mature in our faith. In Hebrews 5:7-9, we read that even Jesus, as the Son of God, learned obedience through the hardships He faced.
Jesus shows us the perfect example of what it means to mature and surrender to God. If we want our relationships to reflect God’s love and grace, we first need to let Him reign in our hearts.
Relationships, especially godly ones, require a lot from us—things like sacrifice, love, and faith. And we don’t have to look far to see this in action—Jesus lived it. He gave everything for us, showing how paramount maturity and surrender are when it comes to building strong, healthy relationships.
Hebrews 5:12 reminds us just how important maturity is: “By this time you ought to be teachers, but you still need someone to teach you again the basics of God’s Word.” This verse tells us that without growth, our faith (and by extension, our relationships) can get stuck.
We risk becoming stagnant or, worse, seeing our relationships fall apart. But when we mature in our faith, we grow in love, trust, and understanding in all areas of life.
Maturity in Faith Means:
- Respect and honour those in our lives. Just as Jesus always respected His relationship with God the Father.
- Applying faith to our relationships by trusting God’s direction. Even when it goes against what we think or feel.
- Realising that intimacy—whether with God or others—is a continuous journey. It requires effort and intentional growth.
Do you want to build stronger, more godly relationships? Discover how surrendering to God’s will and embracing spiritual growth can transform your connections. Read more here.
The Role of Faith and Surrender
For our relationships to truly flourish under God’s kingdom, we need to learn the art of surrender. And no one showed us this better than Jesus. Surrender doesn’t mean we lose who we are; instead, it’s about aligning ourselves with something bigger—God’s purpose for our lives.
In Colossians 1:4, we see that faith means leaning entirely on God’s wisdom and goodness. Too often, we rely on our own understanding in relationships, trying to figure things out on our own. But faith calls us to trust God to lead us through every interaction, even when it feels difficult.
“We have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints, which comes from your hope stored up in heaven.”
Faith, at its core, looks like this:
- Trust: Trusting God to guide our relationships and also trusting others by leaning on His wisdom.
- Patience: Realising that growth doesn’t happen overnight. We need to be patient with ourselves and others as we grow together.
Faith doesn’t just change our circumstances; it changes us. When God’s kingdom comes into our lives, it transforms us from the inside out. This transformation is key to building healthy, thriving relationships.
In Hebrews 5:13-14, we’re reminded that mature believers aren’t satisfied with the basics—they crave solid spiritual food. This maturity helps us discern what’s right and wrong, a skill that’s so important in managing relationships well.
“Everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”
Practical Steps for Building Kingdom Relationships
Relationships don’t just happen; they need intentional effort. More so if we want them to reflect God’s values. Whether it’s with friends, family, or your spouse, here are some practical steps to help you build strong, healthy, and godly connections.
- Respect and Loyalty
Respect is the foundation of any relationship. It’s about showing the other person that you truly value them and are committed to treating them with honour. Loyalty is just as important—it means your actions consistently back up your words.- 1 Corinthians 13:7 reminds us that, “Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” This is the kind of love that respect and loyalty bring into relationships.
- Trust
Trust doesn’t happen overnight; it’s something you build over time, and it requires humility. One big part of trust is letting go of selfishness and leaning on God to guide your relationship- In Colossians 1:4 (AMPC), Paul praises believers for leaning their “entire human personality on Him in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness.” Being trustworthy means being reliable and having the humility to admit when you’re wrong.
- Forgiveness and Kindness
Forgiveness isn’t an option in relationships; it’s indispensable. It’s a reflection of God’s grace toward us, and without it, resentment can grow and destroy intimacy.- Be kind to each other, just as Ephesians 4:32 says: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” That’s the kind of forgiveness that brings healing.
- Vulnerability
True intimacy is built on vulnerability. It’s about being open and honest with the people you love, creating a safe space where both of you can share your hearts. Vulnerability strengthens the bond and allows for a deeper connection. - Communication
Clear, honest communication is the lifeblood of any relationship. Misunderstandings and assumptions can cause a lot of damage. So, make it a habit to talk openly and regularly with the people who matter to you. Good communication helps relationships thrive and grow.
Surrender to God’s Will
How do we let God’s kingdom rule in our relationships? It starts with surrender. Just like Jesus gave His will to the Father, we need to trust God’s plan for our lives and relationships.
When we pray, “Your kingdom come,” we’re asking God to take full control—not just part-time. Surrender is the key to finding peace, fulfilment, and seeing real transformation in our relationships.
Now, take a moment to think. Is God’s kingdom truly leading your heart? Are your relationships reflecting His values? If not, today is the perfect time to make that choice. Let God reign over every area of your life, and watch how His kingdom transforms your relationships, decisions, and actions.
Prayer of Surrender:
Heavenly Father, let your Kingdom come and be established in my heart. Let your Holy Spirit help me to have the courage to walk in your perfect will for my life in Jesus! Amen.
