“My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” John 18:36-37

The extent to which Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world has been much discussed and debated. An extreme view is that His kingdom in no way has any connection or involvement with the world system; completely isolated and detached from it. But is this what He is declaring?

His kingdom is radically different from the kingdoms of the world in that it does not originate from within the world. Every other system of government owes its birth and life to human initiative, and operates under the dark cloud of enemy jurisdiction (1 John 5:19). His kingdom is not established or maintained through violence or coercion - radically different from all other world systems.

So why does any of this matter, and what does it mean to us? As citizens of His kingdom, our thinking and actions must be in harmony with this kingdom system. In our dealings with others, we do not resort to manipulation, violence, or coercion. We seek the way of reconciliation, honesty, peace, and kindness. But we also are resolute in our stand for what is absolute, in that Jesus declared that He is a king of truth, to which He came to testify to.

As citizens of a kingdom not of this world, we live responsibly and respectfully in a system to which we do not truly belong. Ultimately, we are careful to live according to the standards of the kingdom to which we truly belong in our dealings with employers or employees, neighbors, family, and friends. Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is the kingdom constitution which defines kingdom living. May we live faithfully according to it.

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