In Jesus’ prayer for us in the Garden of Gethsemane he said to His Father, “All I have is yours, and all you have is mine …. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.” - John 17:10-15
Christians have long struggled with living in a sinful world. We believe that we have been set free from sin, death and the devil, and Jesus bought and paid for our new life with his perfect life, and his death on a cross to pay for our sins. We are born again and will live forever as perfect saints.
The Bible says we live in two kingdoms. Our earthly life is shared with Christians, and with those who don’t believe or want to follow God’s Word given in the Bible. God wants all people to come to him, and our “mission” in the world is to be used by the Spirit to draw everyone to faith in Jesus as our God and Savior.
Our Christian life is lived also in the kingdom of Christ. We are governed by Jesus who has set us free to live in joy and service to Him and each other. But while we are in this world, we are also governed in our daily life by authorities that are placed by God to protect people and keep worldly peace.
Whatever happens in elections or among civil government, Christians are expected to respect them and live as good citizens. Thanks be to God that we have a Savior, Jesus, who prayed that we would be protected from the world as we live our lives in his kingdom that will last forever.
“God has therefore ordained two kingdoms: the spiritual which by the Holy Spirit produces faith in Christians, and the secular which restrains Christians and un-Christian folk, so they are obliged to keep outward peace, albeit by no merit of their own.” — Martin Luther
Pastor Mueller
November 2024
