There’s a common misconception that New Zealand is a Christian country. But is it?

According to the latest census, 52% of Kiwis now say they have no religion. Only 32% identify as Christian. That means 1.6 million people in our nation describe themselves as Christian. But does that make us a Christian nation?

China, for example, is said to have around 29 million Christians. Would we call China a Christian nation?

 

There’s a vital distinction between Christian values and Kingdom living.

 

Jesus didn’t come to establish a religion. He came to inaugurate a Kingdom. And that Kingdom isn’t defined by borders, census figures, or cultural traditions. It’s something entirely different—something the prophet Daniel saw long ago.

 

A Kingdom “Not Made with Hands”

In Daniel chapter 2, the prophet interprets King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. The king sees a towering statue made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, and clay, representing the kingdoms of the world. But then something entirely unexpected happens:

 

    “And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed… It shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.”  (Daniel 2:44-45, NKJV)

 

This kingdom which “God of heaven” has established was not created by human hands. It was not built through politics or military strength. It was a stone carved from a mountain “without hands”—and it shattered every other kingdom founded by human will.

 

Here’s the biblical truth about the Kingdom of God:

It’s not just another system. It’s not a better democracy or a purer religion.

It is the reign of God—unshakable, eternal, and completely “without hands.”

In contrast, the kingdoms of this world—democracies, dictatorships, empires, and religious institutions—are expressions of human will. They’re built by our hands. They rise and fall with our efforts.

But God’s Kingdom? It stands forever.

 

So, no. No nation on earth is truly a “Christian nation.”

In God’s eyes, all are kingdoms of this world, constructed by human hands.

 

Making It Personal

Dallas Willard once defined a kingdom as “the range of your effective will—where what you want done is done.”

That’s not just poetic—it’s profoundly theological.

 

Your life is a kingdom.

Your words, your choices, your reactions, your relationships—they all reveal the range of your effective will.

 

Why do husbands and wives quarrel? Their kingdoms are in conflict.

Why is there tension between parents and children? Kingdoms are in conflict.

We are all little kingdoms, constantly defending our territory and pushing boundaries, constantly in conflict.

 

How We Respond to Kingdom Conflict

When kingdoms collide, we usually reach for one of two strategies:

Option 1: Compromise — A Temporary Ceasefire

Like nations signing peace treaties: remove the weapons, build embassies, agree to be civil.

We adjust our tone, try to be kind and understanding.

But it only works if both parties agree to lay down their arms.

Let’s be honest—that doesn’t always happen.

 

Option 2: Dominate — Peace Through Strength

If compromise fails, we attempt to dominate.

We force peace through control.

We’ve heard this phrase lately from world leaders: “peace through strength.”

    Can’t stand the pastor or a fellow church member? Change churches.

    Can’t resolve conflict at home? Lash out, shut down, or emotionally withdraw.

    Kids not listening? Threaten, control, punish.

 

We may achieve silence—but not righteousness.

Dominance forces compliance, not peace.

There’s a Better Way: Surrender

 “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15, NKJV)

 

Jesus doesn’t offer a third strategy. He offers an entirely new way of living: Kingdom living.

The Kingdom of God isn’t a future reward or distant ideal.

It is at hand. Near. Within reach. Like breath in your lungs.

 

The only way to resolve kingdom conflict is through surrender.

Not surrender to each other, but surrender to Him.

 

    “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

 

You can’t dominate your way into God’s Kingdom.

You can’t negotiate your way in.

 

You repent.

You believe.

You surrender.

 

A New Way to Breathe

I think of it as a new breathing technique—Kingdom breathing.

Repent and believe—inhale and exhale.

Learning to inhale the life of God’s Kingdom, and exhale the chaos of our own.

 

Inhale: God’s will

Exhale: your will

Inhale: God’s way

Exhale: your way

Inhale: God’s say

Exhale: your say

 

A Kingdom Atmosphere at Home

Imagine a home where this “repent and believe” lifestyle is lived out.

Where mum and dad surrender daily—inhaling His Kingdom, exhaling theirs.

It changes the spiritual climate.

 

Children begin to experience this new atmosphere.

They watch, learn, and begin to breathe Kingdom life themselves.

 

A family that wakes each morning and prays, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done…”

 

What happens then?

 

  “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever.”  (Revelation 11:15)

 

When we surrender, heaven happens on earth.

Our homes become sacred places—spaces where the breath of God moves through every relationship.

 

What Does That Look Like Tomorrow?

Let’s make this practical. Let’s live this.

Read the Bible daily — How else will you know God’s will, way, and say?

 

Ask the Holy Spirit — “What are You saying to me today?”

Inhale that. Exhale the opposite.

 

Stay surrendered — One breath at a time. One moment at a time.

 

The Kingdom of God is not far off.

It’s already here.

You can live in it—and breathe it—starting today.