“Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.’ Pilate therefore said to Him, ‘Are You a king then?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.’ Pilate said to Him, ‘What is truth?’” (John 18:36-38 NKJ)
This conversation between Pilate and Jesus took place at the trial of Jesus. Pilate had asked Jesus if He was the “King of the Jews.” Jesus’ answer was definite, “yes,” though His kingdom is “not of this world.” It is a spiritual kingdom (this very direct point seems to escape those who are seeking an earthly kingdom of Christians that wields great influential power over the entire world through political means). In addition, Jesus said that the evidence of His kingdom being a spiritual kingdom is that His disciples have not taken up arms to fight against the Roman Empire. The fight for the kingdom is not a fight for an earthly nation. Jesus fought for His kingdom and won – we must never forget that fact! He has overcome the world in which we will have tribulation (John 16:33). Our fight is a spiritual battle, both a personal battle against the flesh, and kingdom battle against those who would suppress the truth that Jesus Christ is the only Savior of the world(2 Corinthians 10:3-6). There is no other!
We may win our republic back through carnal means, but it will remain lost in humanistic thought that will ultimately lead this nation back into tyrannical rule, which we have only been given a taste of – only next time it will be far worse. That is because the battle goes far deeper. Our battle is a battle that is not fought with carnal weapons, but rather with the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, which is the word of truth. In proclaiming the truth lies are exposed (Ephesians 5:11). Lies seem to be main staple of the world, especially today. So many lies are being propagated by so-called experts, the government and the multitude of media outlets that it is becoming nearly impossible to distinguish between what is the truth and what is a lie. Oftentimes, the truth is denounced a lie and the lie is held up as truth. False statements and half-truths flow out the mouths of evil men and women like projectiles of mass destruction. This is true not only outside of the church; it is also in many churches, where the wisdom of the world is held up against God’s word of truth. The result is compromise with the world in order to retain friendship with world – those who compromise seem clueless to the fact the world looks down on them even more and give cause to the enemies of Christ to blaspheme and scorn His name.
Jesus told Pilate that He came into the world to bear witness to the truth. It was the purpose of His coming. Yet, the religious leaders of His day claimed that what He said were lies. In fact, they claimed that Jesus was a ‘blasphemer’ (Matthew 26:65; John 10:33). Yet, He spoke the truth; it was truth that the religious leaders rejected as a lie. They even twisted Jesus’ words (Matthew 26:60-61). So also there are many people today in church who say the Bible is lying about how heaven and earth came into existence, as recorded in the eyewitness account of Genesis Chapter One (written to be taken as literal six ordinary days, as we know them today). They say Jesus got it wrong when He said that “. . . from the beginning of the creation, God made them [man and woman] male and female” (Mark 10:6). The world says science supports the evolution of man over millions of years; yet, recent scientific research has clearly demonstrated that science doesn’t. Rather science supports the creation account as given to us from the Lord God, the Creator of heaven and earth in six ordinary days about 6,000 years ago.
The lies are many and they run deep within the lives of many in this world and so the truth is either dismissed as fairy tale or suppressed to justify evil men and women to continue in their unrighteousness; seeking to justify themselves through lawless decrees leading many people down the path to death and destruction. There are many examples that can be given; but suffice it to say, we need only look at the many doctrines upheld in churches today that contradict Scripture, God’s rule of law for the conduct of our lives. This lawless mindless is then also reflected in our society where evil is being rewarded and the innocent are being falsely accused, such as what we see with the incarceration of many people falsely accused of insurrection on January 6th – these political prisoners are beaten and treated harshly in ways that are contrary to the Constitution and the Geneva Convention. Truth is missing in action in our world and the One who is the Truth is grossly misrepresented and suppressed by many. As a result, justice is no longer found in the streets (Isaiah 59:14-15).
Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” The world would have us believe that the ‘truth’ is whatever it says it is, whether it’s true or not. The world says truth is relative, ever changing from society to society, generation to generation, and from authority to authority. Whoever wields the greatest influence is the one who determines the truth. However, we must stand for the truth that never changes. The truth revealed in Scripture, which is the word of God, who never changes and is true yesterday, today, and forever. He has given us the truth and revealed the realities of our state and condition in the world that has fallen into sin; into rebellion and hatred toward God and the very creature that our Creator made.
Our battle is for the truth, for a spiritual kingdom; not for an earthly nation or kingdom. We must stand for Jesus Christ, who is the Truth (John 14:6)! We must expose sin by speaking the truth in love; speaking the gospel truth of Jesus Christ. It is when we faithfully speak the truth even when it is contrary to the popular thought of the day, many will come the truth, come to Jesus Christ. Then and only then, will this nation and the rest of the world will be set free (John 8:32). This means setting aside our own personal desires and wants; even sacrificing the comforts of this life on the proverbial altar to uphold the truth for the sake spreading the good news of Jesus Christ and furthering the kingdom that He established in the shedding of His blood on the cross and rising up again from dead. Jesus Christ paid the penalty for sin, obtained for us the forgiveness of our sins, delivered us from the bondage of sin, the world and the devil, and made all who believe in Him alone fit to inherit an everlasting kingdom; that is, eternal life together with Him. We can win our republic back but without Jesus Christ ruling in the hearts of the people that victory will be short lived – guaranteed.
Soli Deo Gloria!
P.S. – if you’re in the area . . .
Reformation Gospel Ministries 
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