Tag: kingdom

Beyond the Ballot: Should Christians Vote?

On By Tyler BoydIn Christian's Relationship to Government, Kingdom Life, Legalism, The Authority of God

As followers of Christ, we must acknowledge that His authority is the foundation of our beliefs and actions. The New Testament reveals the teachings of Christ and His apostles, and it is in these Scriptures that we find God’s final word on all matters of faith and conduct. We are not permitted to impose human traditions or rules where God has chosen to remain silent. Just as Moses warned Israel not to “add to the word that I command you” (Deuteronomy 4:2), and Paul instructed the Corinthians not to exceed the limits of what is written (1 Corinthians 4:6), we too must respect the boundaries of Scripture. Where Scripture is silent, we must refrain from passing judgment on others holding differing convictions (Romans 14:1-5). Ultimately, there is only true lawgiver (James 4:12). When Scripture is silent on a matter, we must be cautious not to legislate in His place.

This principle directly applies to the question of whether Christians should vote or otherwise involve themselves in earthly politics. Although many enthusiastically encourage Christians to be active in the political process, the New Testament remains silent on the specific topics of voting or political involvement.

“But Christians are called to be salt and light in the world.”

While it is true that Christians are to influence the world as salt and light, Jesus never so much as commented on the hot political issues of His day. When asked directly about sensitive political issues, He used the questions as opportunities to direct people to the kingdom of God (Matthew 15:15-22; Luke 12:13-15). On multiple occasions when Jesus had the opportunity to gain political power (power He most certainly would have used for good), He consistently refused that power (John 6:15), and even considered the offer of such power as a temptation from Satan (Luke 4:5-7).

“But Jesus said His disciples would stand before governors and kings.”

Indeed, Jesus predicted that His followers would stand before powerful political rulers (Matthew 10:18), and they did. Paul preached the gospel to governors like Felix, Festus, and Agrippa (Acts 24-26), and the gospel even reached Caesar’s household (Philippians 4:22). Yet, even in these interactions, neither Jesus nor the apostles ever used those opportunities to engage in political debates or advocate for social change. Instead they remained focus on their mission by bearing witness to Christ and calling people to repentance.

“But Paul exercised his rights as a Roman citizen.”

It’s true that Paul invoked his Roman citizenship to avoid mistreatment (Acts 22:25-29), but he never used his rights to influence the Romans government. He used his citizenship to serve one purpose: to further his mission of proclaiming the gospel. Paul’s focus, even when standing before rulers, was always on spreading the message of Christ.

“But Jesus affirmed the legitimacy of earthly kingdoms when He said ‘Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s.’”

Yes, in Matthew 22:21, Jesus acknowledged the reality of earthly authorities by telling his followers to “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” However, this statement does not affirm the ultimate legitimacy or importance of earthly kingdoms in comparison to God’s kingdom. Jesus was making a point about prioritizing God’s authority over any human government by challenging His hearers to consider what really belonged to Casesar. The context of this teaching shows that Jesus was more concerned with loyalty to God than with endorsing Caesar’s rule.

What Does Scripture Command Regarding Politics?

The New Testament is clear in commanding Christians to submit to governing authorities (Romans 13:1-4; 1 Peter 2:13-14). We are instructed to strive to obey them (Titus 3:1), pay taxes (Romans 13:7), honor them (Romans 13:7), and pray for them (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Beyond this, however, Scripture is silent about how, or if, Christians should engage in politics.

We must trust Christ’s wisdom in what He chose to teach. If He had wanted to direct His apostles through the Holy Spirit to direct Christians toward political activism, He could have done so. If God had wanted to answer all our questions about the extent of political involvement for believers, He could have inspired clearer instructions. But God chose to leave the New Testament as it is. We must trust that His silence on certain matters is as intentional as His words.

Respecting the Silence of Scripture

Because the New Testament never commands nor forbids political involvement, Christians must respect that silence. While some may feel personally convicted that voting or engaging in politics is an appropriate way to influence society, they must stop short of calling political involvement a Christian duty. Likewise, those who choose to avoid voting or engaging in politics must also avoid judging their brothers and sisters who do.

“But aren’t earthly political structures heavily influenced by Satan?”

Yes, Scripture affirms this (Luke 4:5-7; 1 John 5:19).

“Aren’t earthly kingdoms described as enemies of Christ who are destined to be destroyed?”

Yes, the Bible describes Christ’s ultimate victory over all rulers and authorities (1 Corinthians 15:24-25).

“Didn’t Christ forbid his disciples from exercising power like worldly rulers?”

Absolutely. Jesus taught His disciples not to rule like the Gentiles. (Matthew 20:25-28; Mark 10:42-45; Luke 22:25-27).

“Shouldn’t we avoid yoking ourselves with unbelievers, avoid friendship with the world, and flee from Babylon?”

Yes, Christians are called to remain separate from the world (2 Corinthians 6:14; James 4:4; Revelation 18:4).

However, despite these warnings, the New Testament does not explicitly condemn political involvement or voting. If God had wanted to make such a prohibition, He could have done so. But He chose not to.

Restoring Our Focus

The real issue is not whether Christians can be involved politically, but where our ultimate allegiance lies. The question of whether a Christian should vote is ultimately hinges on whether our actions align with the desires of our Master. As Paul reminds us, “No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.” (2 Timothy 2:4).

As soldiers in God’s service, our focus must remain on the mission we’ve been given. We cannot afford to be distracted by the shifting concerns of earthly kingdoms. Our allegiance is to a heavenly kingdom (Philippians 3:20) and our priorities should reflect that. The apostles never instructed the early church on how to properly influence Caesar’s rule, because their focus was continually on the higher question: where does our faithful loyalty lie? (Colossians 3:1-2).

When we become too preoccupied with earthly politics – saying things like “This is the more important election of our lifetime” or “The future of our country depends on this vote” – we may believe we are working for good. However, we may be signaling how little we trust in the transformative power of the gospel, and in the far better solutions offered by the Kingdom of God compared to the temporary fixes of human governance.

The central question for Christians is not merely “Can we vote?” or “How should we vote?” but “Does voting reflect the priorities Christ has given us?” While the New Testament leaves room for differing opinions on political engagement, it clearly calls us to seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). Our hope is not in earthly rulers but in Christ, and our involvement in the world must never distract us from the mission to proclaim His lordship and His reign over all nations.

How Earthly Kingdoms Stand Against Christ

On By Tyler BoydIn Christian's Relationship to Government, Kingdom Life

Throughout Scripture, earthly kingdoms, such as Egypt, Canaan, Assyria, Babylon, and Rome, consistently oppose God’s kingdom. From Nimrod’s Babel to the “Babylon” in Revelation, this continual theme deserves consideration. What about today? How should Christians view and relate to the earthly nation in which they live?

What is an “Earthly Kingdom”?

The word “kingdom” is now seldom used to refer to modern political dominions, with terms such as “nations,” “countries,” or “states” being more common. Here, I use the phrase “earthly kingdom” to distinguish these political dominions from the heavenly kingdom over which Christ reigns as King.

Christians should take no issue with the idea of a “king,” or “kingdom” in general. Calling Jesus “Christ” means acknowledging Him as God’s anointed King, the world’s true Lord. Christians are not anarchist. In a sense, Christians are monarchist, submitting to Christ’s rightful reign and seeking first His kingdom.

While the preceding article “What Jesus Talked About the Most” focuses on Christ’s Kingdom, this article examines the other earthly dominions which are governed by earthly rulers. How should Christians, citizens of the heavenly Kingdom, think about and relate to earthly nations and their rulers?

Who Do Earthly Kingdoms Serve?

When Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness, the devil tempted him:

And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.”

Luke 4:5-7

The devil claimed that he had authority over all the kingdoms of the world, and the ability to give those them to whom he wanted. Interestingly, Jesus never disputed this claim. Notice Jesus’s response:

You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.

Luke 4:8

That’s it. Jesus did not dispute the devil’s ability to make good on his offer. If Jesus did not recognize Satan’s capacity to do so, the offer would not have been a genuine temptation as the text portrays it to be.

In fact, everything else the New Testament says about Satan’s authority over earthly kingdoms supports the Devil’s claim. Satan is elsewhere described as “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11), “the god of this world” (2 Cor. 4:4), and the “prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2). John states that “the whole world is under the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:9).

In Revelation, the “beast” worships the Dragon, from which the beast had received it’s authority (Rev. 13:4). The Dragon is identified as the Devil and Satan (Rev. 12:9). This “beast” is an image of earthly kingdoms from the book of Daniel and is identified with “Babylon,” or more precisely, those who in John’s day were exercising Babylonian type authority (Rev. 17:1-9). This “Babylon” is described as a “dwelling place for demons” (18:2), and Christians are warned to “come out of her” (18:4). “Babylon” and the other earthly kings and nations under her deception are ultimately judged and destroyed (Rev. 18:9, 23).

One of the primary ways Satan influences the world is through giving authority to earthly kingdoms, which are described as worshiping him, and are under his dominion.

How Do Earthly Kingdoms Maintain Power?

Earthly governments maintain power through top-down authority, coercing behavior through the threat of violence. As Paul noted, they “do not bear the sword in vain,” ruling through violence or its threat to punish those who would oppose them. Civil laws carry weight because disobedience is punished with fines, imprisonment, pain, or death. Without the threat of punishment, civil laws are powerless.

Jesus frequently contrasted His kingdom with the ways of earthly ones. While earthly kingdoms are described as persecutors, Jesus’s kingdom belongs to the poor in spirit, meek, merciful, and peacemakers.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:10

While earthly rulers “lord it over” and “exercise authority” over others, the greatest in Jesus’s kingdom is a servant.

You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But is shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant.

Mark 10:42-43a

While subjects of earthly kingdoms fight for the success of those kingdoms, Jesus’s Kingdom is seen as “not of this world” due to their refusal to fight.

If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered to the Jews. But my kingdom is not of this world.

John 18:36

Earthly kingdoms are by their very nature violent, relying on the power of the sword to gain and maintain the power to lord over others. Without the power of death, earthly rulers would be unable to enforce even the most basic laws.

How Do Earthly Kingdoms Oppose God?

When people assert the right to rule over mankind, they claim authority which God has reserved for His Son. As Isaiah prophesied, the government rests on His shoulders, with an authority and dominion that is without end.

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given
and the government shall be upon his shoulder…
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end.

Isaiah 9:6-7a

Jesus confirms this authority, stating, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Mt. 28:18). Earthly kingdoms exist because they do not recognize this authority. Instead of submitting to God’s rightful authority, they exalt themselves. Babylon’s attitude of self-exaltation is described by Isaiah as a rivalry the rightful authority of the Most High.

You said in your heart,
“I will ascend to heaven;
above the stars of God
I will set my throne on high;
I will sit on the mount of assembly
in the far reaches of the north;
I will ascend above the height of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.

Isaiah 14:13-14

When Israel asked for a king like the nations, this too was recognized as a rejection of God’s reign (1 Sam. 8:7). Jeremiah likewise warned them against learning the “ways of the nations” (Jer. 10:2) reminding them that there is no king like the LORD.

 Who would not fear you, O King of the nations?
For this is your due;
for among all the wise ones of the nations and in all their kingdoms
there is none like you.

Jeremiah 10:7

As plainly stated in Psalm 2, God recognizes earthly kings as standing against the LORD and against His anointed King.

Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying
“Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us.”

Psalm 2:1-3

Earthly kings who do not change their ways and submit to God’s Anointed will be destroyed (Ps. 2:10-12).

Why Are Earthly Kingdoms Important?

Although earthly kingdoms are described as serving Satan, ruling by the power of death, and standing in opposition to Christ, Christians must recognize that God still uses them to accomplish an important task.

While Christians are forbidden from avenging their enemies (Rom. 12:19-21), God does not permit evildoers to escape His vengeance, and He uses earthly authorities for this purpose, as ministers who execute His wrath on evildoers.

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad… For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.

Romans 13:1-5

There are numerous examples in the Bible of God using earthly governments as his servants for this purpose. When Israel asked for a king like all the nations, God punished them by giving them what they asked for, a government like that of earthly nations (1 Sam. 8:22). God used the office of an earthly king to execute his wrath, just as he says in Hosea,

I gave you a king in my anger,
and I took him away in my wrath.

Hosea 13:11

Assyria is also described an instrument in God’s hands to execute His wrath. Interestingly, Isaiah makes it clear that God was able to use them as His ministera, even though they had no intention to serve God willingly.

Ah, Assyria, the rod of my anger;
the staff in their hands is my fury!
Against a godless nation I send him,
and against the people of my wrath I command him,
to take spoil and seize plunder,
and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
But he does not so intend,
and his heart does not so think;
but it is in his heart to destroy,
and to cut off nations not a few.

Isaiah 10:5-7

Likewise, Jeremiah 50-51 describes how God used Babylon to punish Israel for their wickedness. Even the pagan King Cyrus was called “My shepherd who shall perform all my pleasure” (Is. 44:28).

Despite the wickedness of earthly authorities, God still uses them to fulfill His will on the earth. As long as evildoers continue, earthly kingdoms will play an important role, and must be submitted to for this reason.

There Is Another Way

When Jesus established his Kingdom, He did not do so by the pursuit of earthly political authority, but by dying on a cross at the hands those authorities. His refusal to fight for power shows His kingdom was different in nature from the kingdoms of the world (John 18:36). Jesus is a real king (John 18:37), but His kingdom gains and maintains its power the same way Jesus did, through faithful obedience, love, service, and sacrifice, submitting even to rebellious earthly authorities.

Peter urged Christians to disciples submit to pagan Roman emperor, not because they agree with their claim of lordship, but “for the Lord’s sake.” (1 Pet. 2:13). They trust that God can use these authorities as His servants (1 Pet. 2:14). By following Christ’s example of submissive suffering (1 Pet. 3:13-17; 4:1), His disciples faithfully trust in God’s ability to restore, confirm, and strengthen them (1 Pet. 5:10).

We submit to them, because they we that to Christ belongs the true “dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Pet. 5:11). Christians are called to submit to earthly authorities and their kingdoms, all while living as strangers and exiles whose citizenship is in Christ’s kingdom.

What Jesus Talked About the Most

On By Tyler BoydIn Christian's Relationship to Government, Kingdom Life, The Authority of God1 Comment

Many people assume the goal of Christianity is to go to heaven. However, throughout the New Testament, not a single sermon concludes with “if you follow these steps, you can go to heaven when you die.” Far more often we find sermons proclaiming Jesus’s status as the anointed King (Christ) and Ruler (Lord). For example, in Peter’s Pentecost sermon, he declared “God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:36). Similarly, Peter preached to Cornelius’s household about “Jesus Christ,” who is “Lord of all” (Acts 10:36). Even in Roman custody, Paul tried to convince others about Jesus and the Kingdom of God (Acts 28:23). Jesus’s kingship and lordship are at the very heart of the gospel (Romans 1:1-4).

The New Testament mentions the “kingdom” over 150 times, more than twice the frequency of the word “church.” While it is certainly worthwhile to study what the New Testament teaches about the church and heaven, it is unfortunate that the kingdom does not receive greater emphasis in modern Christianity. This was not the case with Jesus, who talked more about the kingdom than any other subject.

Jesus Preached the Kingdom

The gospel authors consistently emphasize the Kingdom as the main emphasis of Jesus’s teaching. For example, Mark 1:15 summarizes Jesus’s preaching throughout Galilee in one sentence: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Matthew 4:23 describes him as teaching in synagogues and “proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom.” Similarly, Matthew 9:35 and Luke 8:1 also highlight the kingdom as subject of Jesus’s message while healing diseases and afflictions. These passages all underscore the kingdom as the central focus of Jesus’s teachings.

When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, he taught them to pray about the kingdom (Mt. 6:9-13). Jesus instructed them to preach about the kingdom (Lk. 9:2; 10:9). His miracles, such as healing the sick and casting out demons, demonstrated that the kingdom was breaking into the world (Lk. 11:20). Jesus continually taught about how to enter the kingdom (Mt. 5:3; 6:33; Mk. 10:15; Lk. 13:3; 14:15-24; Jn. 3:3-5). Most of Jesus’s parables were used to explain the nature of his kingdom (Mt. 13:24, 31, 33, 34, 44, 45, 47; 18:23; 20:1, 22:2; 25:1; Mk. 4:26, 30, Lk. 13:18, 20).

Why did Jesus spend so much time talking about the kingdom? Because Jesus understood this to be the reason he was sent.

He said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”

Luke 4:43

What Is the Kingdom?

To put it simply, the Kingdom of God is the place where God reigns supreme and His will is done (Mt. 6:9-10). It is the “dome” (or “dominion”) over which God reigns as King.

Everyone in the first century knew what a “kingdom” was, but today we tend to use words like “nations,” “countries,” or “states” to describe political dominions. While modern rulers don’t typically use the title “King,” democratically elected rulers continue to hold similar authority to govern their respective states. Despite differences in how today’s rulers ascend to power, the concept of kingdoms and dominions with authoritative rulers persists in today’s world.

God also has a “kingdom” where choices are made in harmony with His will. Jesus, who is sinless, loving, and obedient, is the perfect example of what it looks like for God to reign over a person’s life completely. To enter his kingdom, one must be born again of water and Spirit, surrendering their life to continual imitation of Christ (John 3:3, Rom. 6:1-14; Phil. 2:5-8).

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught his disciples to pray, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done” (Mt. 6:10). God’s kingdom is where God’s will is done.

When is the Kingdom?

The Kingdom of God was not preached as a distant future event but as something imminent. John the Baptist and Jesus each preached that the Kingdom was “at hand” (Mt. 3:1-2; Mk. 1:15).

Similarly, in Luke 11:20, Jesus said,

But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Jesus even told his disciples that some of them would witness the coming of the kingdom in their lifetime.

Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.

Matthew 16:28

For this reason, it should be no surprise when Paul and John also speak as if Christians were already in God’s kingdom at the time of their writing (Col. 1:13; Rev. 1:9). While there is a sense in which we still wait for the ultimate appearing of his kingdom, when the kingdom is delivered to the Father, when death is no more and every tear is wiped away (1 Cor 15:24, 2 Tim. 4:1; Rev. 11:15; 21:3-4), the kingdom of God is not merely a future hope for eternal life. It is a real kingdom presently here on earth.

If God’s kingdom is here, where is it?

Where is the Kingdom?

When questioned by the Pharisees about the arrival of God’s kingdom, he answered them:

The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, “Look, here it is!” or “There!” for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.

Luke 17:20-21

Unlike earthly kingdoms with defined borders, Jesus’s kingdom exists anywhere things are done God’s way. Most of the world, filled with filled with war, violence, coercion, poverty, child abuse, sex trafficking, theft, injustice, hatred, and more, stands in opposition to God’s kingdom. But there are places where God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven.

Jesus clarified to Pilate that while his kingdom is not of earthly origin, and is not sustained by earthly means, it is nonetheless a real kingdom, where Jesus reigns as a real King.

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I may not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not of this world.”

Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world – to bear witness to the truth – everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

John 18:36-37

Jesus’s kingdom is as real as any other kingdom, and it is on earth now. If you want to know where God’s kingdom is, look to the places where people have reborn by both water and Spirit, and are heeding Jesus’s voice.

Who is the Kingdom?

Before identifying who is in the Kingdom of Christ today, it is helpful to differentiate this kingdom from the kingdom of God as it is otherwise described in the Bible. All that God did prior to the establishment of the Kingdom of Christ was done with that purpose in mind.

In the sense of rightful authority, all creation belongs to the Creator. But in the garden of Eden, something pivotal happened. Adam and Eve, rather than obeying the voice of their Creator, obeyed the voice of the Serpent. In so doing, they ceded authority to him who would eventually lead the whole world astray. In this sense, Satan too has a kingdom. But his kingdom only exists because he has usurped authority which did not at any point rightfully belong to him.

Since that time, two kingdoms have existed side by side, God’s and Satan’s, each bidding for mankind’s allegiance. After rescuing Abraham’s family from slavery in Egypt, God ruled over His kingdom of Israel through the law of Moses. Even as God anticipated a king (Deut. 17:14-20), He warned against the attitudes and actions which would defy his ultimate authority. Unfortunately, Israel rejected God’s reign, choosing instead to imitate surrounding earthly kingdoms (1 Sam. 8), leading to Israel’s decay and punishment (Hosea 13:11).

It was during this period of decay when the prophets announced that God would establish a new eternal Kingdom, where God would reign through His anointed King (Is. 9:6-7). Daniel too spoke of a Kingdom that was coming that would cut in pieces and destroy other earthly kingdoms (Dan. 2:36-45; 7:13-14).

Jesus was and is the fulfillment of this hope for a Kingdom. Paul refers to those who “boast in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ” as the new “Israel of God” (Gal. 6:14-16), and Peter refers to Christ’s church as “a holy nation” (1 Pet. 2:9). That’s because Jesus has made them to be, “A kingdom of priests for God” (Rev. 5:10).

What Kingdom Are You a Citizen Of?

Salvation is much more than simply going to heaven. It includes rescue from the political forces and evil structures of this world which have aligned themselves with Satan (Col. 1:13; 2:15; 1 Jn. 3:8). The fact that Jesus established a Kingdom means that people are now forced to choose which Kingdom they pledge their allegiance to. We may be “born” into an earthly nation, but we are “born again” into God’s Kingdom.

It is important to note that the Bible rejects the concept of a “dual citizenship,” emphasizing that Christians live as foreigners, strangers, or exiles in their earthly nations. Our citizenship is not on earth, but in heaven (Phil. 3:20). The faithful are those who acknowledge themselves as strangers and exiles on the earth (Heb. 11:13). Christians are exiles, and as such, they are to abstain from the passions of the flesh which characterize the world (1 Pet. 1:17; 2:11).

The Kingdom of God is here now. This truth lies at the very core of the gospel which Jesus proclaimed, and it should be central to our message as well.

The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.

Mark 1:15

Do Not Be Conformed to the World

On By Lance MosherIn Kingdom Life1 Comment

The Life of Christ Challenges Us to Non-Conformity

When one becomes a Christian, it does not take long for reality to sink in. Living like Jesus is difficult. Pressure and instructions come from all places, yet the one place that is supposed to triumph all is the voice of Jesus Christ. That one voice is the one that the world tries so desperately to distort, ignore, or silence. How is the Christian supposed to live up to the old adage, “You are in the world but not of the world”?

Consider deeply the character of Jesus Christ. Do your very best to put the media’s image of Jesus out of your mind, and allow the word of God to paint the picture. How did Jesus respond to each situation? How did He act toward those who were sick? Those who were sinful? Those who were hypocritical? Those who were politically powerful? Those who were hungry? Those who were dead? Consider deeply the character of Christ. Did He allow the world to shape His thoughts and actions?

During Jesus’ three years of ministry on earth, how many people did He heal, forgive, rebuke, teach, feed, and raise? We do not know. Apart from the many times the gospel authors simply said “multitudes” or “crowds,” John helps us understand the enormity of Jesus’ impact on the lives of others when he writes:

And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written. John 21:25.

It is important that we consider the character of Jesus Christ before we commit to our passage at hand, which is:

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2.

Romans 12 Challenges Us to Non-Conformity

Prior to chapter 12 in the letter to the Romans, Paul teaches on the status of Israel in the eyes of God. After chapter 12, he teaches God’s view of the Gentile world and those who come into the kingdom as Gentiles. Both Jews and Gentiles are susceptible to the influence of the world. Though perspective is different, the temptation is the same.

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 1 John 2:16.

The words of Romans 12 have been strategically placed between the address to the Jews and the address to the Gentiles, because no one is free from the temptations of lust and pride. Romans 12 and 13 teach that all people ought to not exalt themselves. We must utilize our gifts properly. We must love genuinely. We ought to be sympathetic with those in pain. We must never retaliate. We must respond to evil with the love of Christ. We must live obediently under civil law.

We know all of that is part of the Christian lifestyle. We would know that even if Romans 12 and 13 were never written. Jesus Himself both taught and exemplified all of these imperatives and more. So, why did Paul write them? Why did he take the time to command these Christians to do what they had already committed to do? It is because all of the commandments in Romans 12 and 13 go against the natural flow of life.

If a person were to simply follow the whims of his heart and body, he would not obey a single imperative in this passage. It takes no effort to be conformed to this world. “Do not be conformed to this world” should not be treated as a commandment by itself. Instead, it should be seen as the removal of stumbling blocks on a Christian’s path of transformation.

Why Non-Conformity Is Important

Why is it important that Christians do not look like the rest of the world? Is it simply to “make the world a better place”? No. It is because Christians are to belong in a different “world.” According to many scholars, the word for world (aiōn) in this passage is sometimes difficult to translate. It is translated as world seven times in the NASB. However, it is rendered as age 20 times. Consider Galatians 1:4.

who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. (emphasis added).

With the coming of the kingdom of Christ, a new culture, a new society, a new age has been ushered in. Christians have been transferred from the domain of darkness (this present evil age) into the kingdom of God’s Son (Col. 1:13). It is as Jesus prayed:

I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. John 17:15-19.

Christians are living in the world and among worldly people. Yet, Christians do not assimilate into the world. Instead, Christians are transformed into the image of Christ by the renewing of the mind. Such renewal is often difficult, as the voice of the world is loud and demanding.

The voice of Christ says:

  • Make peace.
  • Return violence with love.
  • Feed your enemy.
  • Be compassionate.
  • Deny self.
  • Forsake possessions.
  • Above all, love.

The voice of this age says:

  • Revenge is sweet.
  • Hit your enemy harder.
  • Destroy your enemy.
  • Mind your own business.
  • Take care of yourself first.
  • Buy, buy, buy.
  • Love those who love you.

The will of God is to be like Jesus. To be like Jesus is to “prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:2). Being conformed to this age is easy and natural, but being transformed is disciplined and spiritual (see Rom. 7:14-25).

Avoiding Worldly Distractions

In addition to contradicting the will of God, what the world offers today is also distracting from a Christian’s duty as a soldier for Christ.

Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. 2 Timothy 2:3-4.

Among those things that distract Christians from true service for Christ are those things that appear quite good on the surface. Many well-meaning Christians spend much of their free time concerning themselves with the politics and policies of this world. Entangling oneself with such things may help “make the world a better place” (then again, it may not), but one must remember that Jesus did not call Christians for that purpose. Legislating morality is not the same thing as making disciples. Righteousness can only truly be obtained by the righteousness of Christ, not the good deeds of a society. While it is true that “Righteousness exalts a nation” (Prov. 14:34), Christians must remember that “nation building” take priority over, or even distract us, from faithfulness. Good works done apart from the work of Christ is vanity. Even to the nation of Israel, God’s elect people, when they did not have the right frame of mind, Isaiah was able to say, “For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment” (Isa. 64:6).

Christians must remember that the world and the kingdom of Christ are and will always be two separate domains. It is not the Christian’s job to persuade the world to be conformed to the kingdom. It is the Christian’s job to call people out of the world and into the kingdom.

Conclusion

Again, consider deeply the character of Jesus Christ. How should the Christian measure up? How would he measure up if he closely followed the imperatives of Romans 12 and 13?

The world has many things to offer. Some of them are horrendous. On the other hand, some even seem good. However, Christians will always be called to be separate from the world. The disciple is to avoid participating and being distracted by the deeds and policies of this world. He is to look more like Jesus and less like the world every day. Doing so will “prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” and “please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.”