Aliens

 

(Image courtesy of https://www.thingsofthesort.com.)

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world” (John 18:36).

To the godless world around us, June is a month dedicated to “pride,” that most devious sin that led Lucifer to his rebellion (and coming judgment) and Adam and Eve to their banishment from God’s holy presence (and coming judgment). The church’s mission, however, remains steadfast, no matter what society or culture throw her way: the church is an alien organism living in an alien world.

When I use the word “alien,” I am not referring to E.T. phone home. Alien is an old word that simply means “foreigner.” The blood-bought bride of Christ is alien to this world.

Jesus himself, hours before his crucifixion, states to Pilate: “My kingdom is not of this world.” During his earthly ministry, Jesus was an alien, a foreign king in a realm that did not belong to him – yet.

Let us remember, then, that this world will not accept Christ’s morality: “In this world you will have trouble…” (John 16:33). The world is hell-bent on being hellish. They hate Christ and his followers because Christ is light, but the world is in darkness. “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him” (John 1:9-11).

Let us also remember that the king of this world is currently Satan. He is not living in hell, as we falsely believe. When he was cast out of heaven, he was cast to the earth (Revelation 12:9), and he currently rules over the kingdoms of the earth (Matthew 4:8) until Christ the King returns to put all things under his feet in domination (Philippians 2:5-11)!

Brothers and sisters, we must not look to the Government to solve moral issues. We must not wait for the Government to make abortion unlawful, gay “marriage” illegal, or immorality immoral. The cause of Christ is above human governments. Politics does not drive culture; morality - what a society generally believes to be acceptable and not acceptable - drives a culture. This is why politics will not change society. Politics is but a mirror, showing us what society-at-large accepts and does not accept. This is also why politics or political heroes won't fix the United States or any nation.

Instead, the church of Christ must rise up, strong and faithful, bold and courageous, kind and gentle, to speak the truth in love. We must faithfully speak the truth in love to our families, friends, and acquaintances. We must live holy lives in this dark and perverse world. In other words, we must keep ourselves from participating in the sinfulness of this world while also bearing witness to the truth of God against them.

Jesus prayed for the church throughout the ages, including you and me: “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth” (John 17:15-19).

Press on with the strength of the True King, Jesus Christ! It is by his power that his people (aliens to this world) can influence people for good.