They don't teach this in seminaries or from pulpits

The Duty of the Christian to Imitate Christ in His Kingship 

Having considered how we must make use of the Lord Jesus as King, we will now proceed with the second point. In a fitting manner we must take note of Christ in order that we, being partakers of His anointing, may imitate Him, since He has deemed us worthy to be called Christians after His name. 

The Lord Jesus, by means of His merits, has made His elect kings, and honors them with this title. "And hath made us kings" —Vol. 1, Page 572— (Rev 1:6); "And hast made us unto our God kings ... and we shall reign on the earth" (Rev 5:10); "But ye are ... a royal priesthood ..." (1 Pet 2:9). They are kings, for they have a royal heart, are in a royal state, enjoy royal dignity, have royal goods, and exercise royal dominion. All of this they possess in principle, and it is their duty to earnestly conduct and manifest themselves as such. 

First, they have a royal heart. There was an excellent spirit in Daniel (Dan 5:12). They have a courageous heart, and therefore they are compared to "a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots" (Song 1:9). They are called "his goodly horse in the battle" (Zech 10:3). They have a prince-like and free spirit (Ps 51:12). They have a wise heart, for the Son of God "hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true" (1 John 5:20); "I speak as to wise men" (1 Cor 10:15). They also have a strong heart. "His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord" (Ps 112:7). 

They consider earthly possessions to be insignificant, yes, as dung (Phil 3:7-8), and have great and lofty things in view. "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen" (2 Cor 4:18). Thus, they persevere in all circumstances without fear. "Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear" (Ps 27:3). Let hell and the entire earth freely conspire—the least of the subjects of this King will neither yield nor subject themselves to them. Rather, in all things they will be more than conquerors, and will always be of good courage (2 Cor 5:6, 8). Manifest yourself as such, Christians! 

Secondly, they, as kings, are in a state of freedom. They are not subject to anyone as far as the state of their soul is concerned, except to the King of kings. They are "of the freewoman" (Gal 4:23), "as free ..." (1 Pet 2:16), and the Lord's freeman (1 Cor 7:23). They have the Spirit, and "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" (2 Cor 3:17). They "have been called unto liberty" (Gal 5:13); the Son has made them free (John 8:36), and the truth has made them free (John 8:32). They have thus been placed "into the glorious liberty of the children of God" (Rom 8:21). Therefore, Christians, "stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free" (Gal 5:1), "be ye not the servants of men" (1 Cor 7:23), and be not "brought under the power of any" (1 Cor 6:12). I am not suggesting at all that one ought not to subject himself to the rule of those who have been placed over us in the domestic, civil, and other spheres. Even a pagan has said that true freedom is to be obedient to governments and laws. Every soul ought to be subject to the higher powers, since they are ordained of God (Rom 13:1). They are, however, not to be servants of men. They are not to allow anyone —Vol. 1, Page 573— to control them by either favor or disfavor, or out of love or fear for them, and thus be drawn away from obedience to our sovereign King. They are to refrain from activity or neglect of that which in any degree would be contrary to the conscience, robbing them of their peace and hindering them in their walk with God, and thus be detrimental to their inner freedom. The Christian's objective is not to be subject in a slavish manner, but only because he has the Lord in view and serves Him in this manner, that is, in doctrine and life. Rather, his objective is above all to live in and with God in the enjoyment of peace and freedom. 

Thirdly, they also have royal glory. When examining believers closely, one will detect the radiance of the image of God, which they may possess in principle and wherein majesty and glory are displayed (1 Chron 29:25). God says of His people, "And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through My comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord God" (Ezek 16:14). Peter says of them, "The Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you" (1 Pet 4:14). They are recognizable due to this glory within them; the godly honor them and delight in them. "But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all My delight" (Ps 16:3). 

They are also known and revered by the unconverted due to the excellency within them. "And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed" (Isa 61:9). By their behavior the council knew that Peter and John "had been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13). The godly fill the unconverted with awe, for it is remarkable what is recorded in Acts 5:13, "And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them." Consider also Mark 6:20 "For Herod feared John, knowing that He was a just man and an holy, and observed him." An ungodly master has more respect for his godly maid than for ten prominent but unconverted people. One might think, "Why are they then despised in the eyes of the world, and why does the world persecute them?" My answer is: the world will first resist and suppress the esteem and respect they have for the godly, and then proceed to oppose them. Generally, however, the worldly have not observed the godly in close proximity, and have entertained erroneous prejudices towards them. This moves them to despise and persecute them. Children of God, if there is such royal glory in you, manifest this glory by an increase in all holiness, humility, meekness, wisdom, and dignity. Keep from soiling this glory by your sins, a seeking of self, or by hypocrisy; for this will promote the honor of King Jesus. —Vol. 1, Page 574— 

Fourthly, the godly have royal benefits. All that is in the world is rightfully theirs. "For all things are yours, whether ... the world ..." (1 Cor 3:21-22). The least thing they possess is better than a thousand worlds. "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" (Rom 14:17). Therefore, leave the earth to the men of this world who choose earthly things as their portion, and who as swine despise the unknown pearls of the kingdom. You, however, delight and rejoice in these spiritual benefits, knowing that you are "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ" (Rom 8:17). 

Fifthly, as spiritual kings, God's children also have royal territory and dominion. They are exalted high above the world and have conquered it. "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world" (1 John 5:4). They triumph over the devil and his kingdom. "Ye have overcome the wicked one" (1 John 2:13). "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony" (Rev 12:11). They rule their spirit (Prov 16:32), sin has no dominion over them (Rom 6:14), "and they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts" (Gal 5:24). It is true that they still must do battle, but this does not remove the dominion afforded them. A king who is at war still rules. However, the enemies will not be victorious; these kings will most certainly prevail. Therefore, children of God, as you possess all these things in principle (the one more and the other less), stir up this principle, use it with royal magnanimity, freedom, glory, and dominion, and manifest all this to the honor of the Lord Jesus, and as an ornament to the church. - Wilhelmus à Brakel, The Christian's Reasonable Service