The Christian Is Not of the World
THE child of God, although in the world, is not of the world. The aims and objects and pursuits and pleasures of the world are not his. He uses the things of the world, but it is for his Master. While he will obey all righteous, earthly laws, he will not seek power or position. His highest allegiance belongs to a higher power than human. His King is absent. When here, that King declared, "My kingdom is not of this world." "As he is, so are we [his followers] in this world." He paid tribute, but he did not seek for position. He did not mingle in politics, did not attach himself to any party. His followers should be like him. The corruptions of politics, the chicanery of elections, the questionable methods of all parties, make the politics of the world no place for a follower of Christ. In fact, the Christian is a stranger, an alien (Heb. 11:13; 1 Pet. 2:11); their "conversation," literally, "citizenship," or place where citizenship is exercised, "is in Heaven," from whence cometh their King. Phil. 3:21.