We Have No King but Caesar

We Have No King but Caesar
Friday, January 12, 2024 by Dr. James Walraven

Categories: Contemporary issues / Encouraging words / Spiritual warfare / Thought for Today

These words, found in John 19:15, are among the scariest found in the Scriptures. As Christians, don’t we often cringe when we read them? The Jewish leaders, in their hatred for Jesus, deny the very essence of who they supposedly were, the special relationship with God they’d historically had.

We sometimes think that if we were in their place, we’d never do that. Yet, there isn’t a one of us that hasn’t. Let that sink in. ALL of us have done it. You may ask, “How is that?”

Every time we commit sin, we deny God. Living in our country (the USA in this case), we don’t have a clue about kingship. We don’t grasp the concept of someone being in absolute total authority. The king: a person so powerful, a person whom if you disobey, or sometimes even just disagree with, has the authority to make your life forfeit. The closest we might think of, in a limited and negative sense, might be someone like the ruler of North Korea.

But even the most powerful human ruler’s authority comes to an end. Every one of us dies. In contrast, God has existed from eternity past and will continue to exist for eternity future. He is the one who has true ultimate authority. Though the rulers described above denied it, God is Almighty, Lord, and King.

Getting back to the main point, whenever we sin, we usurp God’s authority. We choose to think and act in ways that God expressly says are wrong. From lustful or covetous thoughts to outbursts of anger, slander, bitterness, or lying, not to mention many other things, we deny God. Even though God has ultimate and absolute authority, we insist, by our actions, that we know better. We, ourselves, deny God.

But, as the Scriptures declare, those who sin will die. The good news is that Jesus paid the penalty for our sins through His death on the cross. If we place our faith in Christ, in His work on our behalf, ask His forgiveness, and repent, we can live with Him for all eternity. We don’t have to face eternal death in Hell. Note though: there isn’t an “easy believism.” If someone claims to be saved, to love God, to follow Christ, but continues to love sin and live like Hell, there is good reason to question that person’s supposed salvation. Scripture warns us over and over that if we engage in a life-pattern of sinful behavior, we will come to a bad end, regardless of what we might claim. A true Christian can get caught up in sin, even for an extended time, but in the end, will repent, and not stay there: it isn’t who the person truly is.

The Scriptures tell us to examine ourselves. As we start this new year, let’s ask ourselves a few questions: “Biblically, how are we doing?” Are we living in a way that is pleasing to God, or are we caught up in sin? Have we gotten sidetracked? If the latter, let’s ask God to forgive us, let’s repent, and begin once more to move forward.

One of the greatest promises God has given us as Christians is that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. May each of us grow to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Share This Blog: