What is the Kingdom of God and How Do We Know When We Have Found It?

Have you ever felt like there’s something more to life? Maybe you’ve hit milestones, achieved success, or built relationships, yet deep down, there’s this unshakable feeling that something is missing.

Well today I want to talk with you about – What is the Kingdom of God and how do we know when we have found it?

The Kingdom of God isn’t just a concept or a distant promise. It’s a reality that’s much closer than we think, yet so many still do not understand it. But what exactly is it? And more importantly, how can we recognize when we’ve truly found it?

In this post, we’re diving deep into these questions, exploring what the Kingdom of God is, what it means to live in it, and how can we know—without a doubt—that you’ve stepped into its fullness.

What is the Kingdom of God?

When we hear the word “kingdom,” most often our minds might immediately jump to images of castles, thrones, and knights. But the Kingdom of God is entirely different. It’s not a physical place or an earthly government. It’s much bigger and far more profound than that.

The word Kingdom comes from the word King and Dominion.

Meaning the Kingdom of God is where God reigns as King. It’s his authority, his presence, his love, his prosperity, his power, his principles, his projects and his way of doing things, actively at work—both in the spiritual realm and here on earth and in our lives. In simple terms, it simply means God’s rulership and reign as sovereign King —both in heaven and here on earth.

When Jesus talked about the Kingdom, He made it clear that it’s not something we can physically point to or locate on a map. In Luke 17:21, He said, “The Kingdom of God is within you.” And What He meant by that is that the Kingdom is spiritual—it begins in our hearts. It’s not a place we go to; it’s a life we live when we surrender to God and allow Him to lead.

Think of the Kingdom of God as a new way of living. It’s living under the rulership of God as sovereign King over our life with him being our guide and embracing his purpose for us. It’s not about religion—it’s about relationship and following his law, precepts, commands and status.

In Luke 17:20-21, Jesus says, “The Kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ For, in fact, the Kingdom of God is within you.”

This means that the Kingdom isn’t a far-off place—it’s a reality we can experience now. It begins in our hearts when we accept God’s rule over our lives and continues to grow as we live in alignment with His ways.

Think of it as a divine culture—a way of living that reflects God’s love, truth, and purpose in everything we do.

How Do We Know We’ve Found the Kingdom of God?

Now here’s the big question: how do we know when we’ve actually stepped into the Kingdom of God? It’s not like finding an address or receiving a certificate.

Instead, it’s something we experience. When the Kingdom of God becomes real in our lives, we begin to see and feel the difference. Let’s look at some of the signs together.

Finding the Kingdom of God isn’t about stumbling upon a secret treasure map or climbing a spiritual ladder. Instead, it’s about experiencing transformation—both inwardly and outwardly. Another scripture Roman 14:17 say “For the kingdom of God, is not meat nor drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the holy Ghost.” 

Here are some signs that we’ve truly entered into and found God’s Kingdom:

1. Having A Heart That Reflects God’s Character and Righteousness – A New Perspective on Life

One of the first signs that we’ve found the Kingdom of God is a complete shift in how we live. Roman 14:17 say “For the kingdom of God, is not meat nor drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the holy Ghost.

Therefore the first sign is we start to live a life of Righteousness. That is why Jesus said in Luke 17:21, “The Kingdom of God is within you. And that is where righteousness starts to flow from within you.

There is something beautiful about finding the Kingdom of God: it changes us from the inside out. Our hearts and life start to reflect God’s love, his righteousness, his kindness, his patience, and his forgiveness.

When we’re living in the Kingdom, righteousness and our love for God becomes the driving force behind everything we do. We see people the way God sees them—with compassion, grace, and a desire to serve.

Think about it—have you noticed a growing desire to help others, forgive quickly, or show kindness even when it’s hard? That’s evidence that you have found the Kingdom of God and the of God’s Kingdom is alive in you.

When you live in the Kingdom of God, your heart begins to change. Righteousness, love, kindness, patience, forgiveness, and humility become the foundation of how you begin to live and treat others.

We begin to take on the character of Christ as a lifestyle – as our example, in our behavior, ways and in our execution.

Jesus taught that the Kingdom of God operates on love—loving God and loving others as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). If your actions and decisions are increasingly guided by love and transforming to imitate Christ, then you have found the Kingdom of God and you’re living in the Kingdom.

Life stops being about “me” “me” “I” “I” and starts being about something bigger.

We begin to understand that our work, our relationships, our time, and even our challenges are all part of God’s greater plan. Suddenly, everything we do has meaning and purpose because we’re living for something eternal.

It’s like putting on a new pair of glasses—we start to see life in a whole new way. Even the things that once stressed or discouraged us lose their power because we know there’s a bigger picture, and we’re part of it.

When we find the Kingdom of God, our perspective shifts. Suddenly, life isn’t just about material success, personal achievements, or chasing happiness. Though nothing is wrong with those things but we begin to see everything through the lens of God’s eternal purpose.

You will realize that the job, relationships, and the resources we have are all tools to serve God’s greater plan. This shift brings a sense of fulfillment and peace, even in the midst of challenges.

2. A Deep Sense of Peace

Let’s be real—life is unpredictable. There are ups and downs, moments of joy, and seasons of struggle. But when we’ve found the Kingdom of God and we’re living in the Kingdom of God, something amazing happens: we experience peace that don’t depend on our circumstances.

This peace comes from knowing that God is in control. Even when life feels chaotic, we can rest in the fact that he’s working everything out for our good.

That peace is not the fleeting kind that comes and goes with good news or a fun experience. It’s an unshakable peace that comes from being in God’s presence and knowing we’re his.

Imagine walking through life with a heart full of peace and a smile that no circumstance can take away. That’s what it feels like to live in God’s Kingdom. We are not worrying about the circumstances of life. But we have allowed him to have rulership over our experiences.

The Kingdom of God isn’t free from trials in this earthly realm, but it’s marked by a peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7). This peace doesn’t come from circumstances—it comes from knowing that we are loved, forgiven, and secure in God’s hands.

3. Having in Joy In The Holy Ghost

Joy also becomes a defining characteristic of our life when we have found the kingdom of God. It’s not the fleeting happiness the world offers, but a deep, abiding joy that comes from living in God’s presence and being lead by his Holy Spirit.

When we’ve truly experienced the Kingdom of God, it’s impossible because of the joy we have to keep it to ourselves. It’s like discovering the greatest treasure in the world—we naturally want to share it with others.

Because of that joy that we have it allows us to demonstrate to the world that we have surrendered and allowed God to rule over our emotions. And our joy is a demonstration that we are aware of his presence in our life.

Whether it’s through our words, our actions, or simply the way we live, we become messengers of God’s joy, love and truth. It’s not about preaching or pressuring—it’s about living in a way that inspires others to seek the same joy and purpose we’ve found.

When we’ve truly found the Kingdom of God, we can’t keep it to yourself. There’s a burning desire to share God’s love, truth, and hope with others. We begin to see our life as a reflection of his Kingdom—a living example of what it means to walk with God and joy in the Holy Ghost.

4. Living In Alignment With God’s Will

And finally, one of the clearest signs that we have found the kingdom of God and we are living in the Kingdom of God is that our life will align with His will.

It’s not about being perfect (none of us are), but about seeking his direction in every area of our lives—our decisions, our relationships, priorities and even our goals.

When we pray, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done,” we’re inviting God to take the lead. And to let his rulership as sovereign king come on earth (our body and life as earthen vessels) as it is in heaven. We are surrendered to his guidance, will and intentionally seeking his direction in every area of our life. And as a result we begin to see his hand at work in ways we never imagined.

As Jesus prayed in Matthew 6:10, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” When our lives align with God’s will, we’re actively living in His Kingdom.

How Do We Enter the Kingdom of God?

The beauty of the Kingdom of God is that it’s available to all of us. No matter who we are, where we’ve been, or what we’ve done, the invitation is open.

Here’s how we step into the Kingdom:

Entering the Kingdom of God is both simple and profound. It starts with a decision to follow Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), and through him, we gain access to God’s Kingdom.

Here’s what it looks like:

1. Surrender Your Heart to God
Acknowledge that you need him. Surrendering means letting go of control and allowing God to take his rightful place as King in your life. It starts with letting go.

Surrender means giving God control and trusting him to lead us. It’s a simple but powerful decision to say, “God, I want you to be King in my life.

2. Repent and Believe the Gospel
Jesus began His ministry with these words: “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news! (Mark 1:15).

Repentance is about turning away from sin and turning toward God with faith. Repentance isn’t about shame—it’s about turning away from anything that separates us from God and choosing to follow Him.

And believing the Gospel means trusting in the good news of Jesus—that through him, we have access to the Kingdom.

3. Seek First the Kingdom
In Matthew 6:33, Jesus says, “Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” This means prioritizing God’s will above everything else in life.

In Matthew 6:33, Jesus tells us to “seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness.” This means making God’s priorities our priorities and trusting Him to take care of the rest. It means letting God rulership as sovereign King rule over our life on earth as it is in heaven.

4. Live by the Spirit
The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in guiding us into the Kingdom. When we walk by the Spirit, we experience the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, and more (Galatians 5:22-23).

We can’t do this on our own. The Holy Spirit is our guide, our helper, and our source of strength. When we walk by the Spirit, we’re empowered to live the life God created us for.

Final Thoughts

The Kingdom of God is a gift we receive when we surrender our lives to God and allow his rule to transform us.

It’s a way of living, a relationship with God, and a reality we can experience.

As you walk this journey, remember that the Kingdom is here and now—available to those who seek it with open hearts. It’s not just about going to heaven someday; it’s about living in God’s presence and purpose today.

When we step into the Kingdom, everything changes. We find purpose, peace, joy, and a love that transforms not only our hearts but the world around us.

It’s closer than you think—and once you find it, your life will never be the same.