MY KINGDOM IS NOT OF THIS WORLD
Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight… But my Kingdom is not of this world.”
John 18:36 (NLT)
William Wilberforce was a quiet, persistent man, not a revolutionary with an army. As a member of Parliament in 18th-century England, he became convinced that following Christ meant opposing the brutal slave trade that enriched his nation. For decades, he faced ridicule, political defeat and exhaustion. Yet he refused to walk away. Motivated by faith, prayer and moral conviction, Wilberforce worked patiently within his culture until England abolished the slave trade. He did not confuse God’s kingdom with political power but allowed God’s kingdom to shape how he used influence.
Jesus was not the Messiah the people of Israel expected. They longed for a political and military leader who would overthrow Rome and restore national power. When Jesus spoke of a kingdom, they assumed He meant land, laws and armies. Standing before Pilate, Jesus clarified everything. He was a king, but His kingdom was not of this world, established by force or sustained by human power.
That distinction has always been hard for God’s people to hold. Throughout church history, Christians have often been tempted to grasp political power in hopes of producing righteousness. The desire for justice is good, but when the church ties God’s kingdom to a nation, party, or ideology, the Gospel becomes distorted. History shows that when the church gains power, it often loses credibility.
Still, Jesus does not call His followers to withdraw from culture. He sends us into the world, just not to rule it the world’s way. Like Wilberforce, we are called to influence society through truth, courage, sacrifice and love. We affirm what is good, confront what is evil, and advocate for the flourishing of all people, especially the vulnerable.
Jesus did not come to make any nation Christian. He came to form a people from every nation who live under His reign. Cultural influence flows not from force, but from lives transformed by humility, justice and grace.
Tim Keller often noted that Christianity spreads through persuasive truth and visible love, not coercion. The early church had no political power, yet it transformed the world. God can still do that today through ordinary people like us who trust His kingdom more than earthly power.
APPLICATION: Is there someone God may be calling you to stand up for or speak up for? Ask Him for courage rooted in love.
PRAYER: Lord, guard my heart from confusing Your kingdom with earthly power. Transform my life by the humility, truth and love of Christ. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?