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Tuesday, November 25, 2008

John 19- Knowing But Not Submitting

Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, KING OF THE JEWS. (vs. 19)

The Jews were furious saying, "do not write 'the king of the Jews' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews." (vs. 21)

The danger of decision... It is scary to me that it is so easy to carve a sign stating 'King of the Jews.' I am not saying that it is literally easy to carve a sign (I grew up on a tree farm with wood and knives but I would probably cut myself again if I tried to do this now). Instead, I think it is easy to say that, 'Jesus is king' figuratively speaking. 

Imagine a church service where you are compelled to name Jesus as lord (AKA king). Much is made of him in an hour worship service and it culminates with a pastor pleading for you to 'decide' for Christ. He even has you close your eyes and repeat after him. You think to yourself, 'why not? I've tried everything else.' Easy right? Like posting a notice. Jesus is king. Fact. Declared. Amen. The end.

My cautious warning to all 'professing' believers that have 'decided' for Christ is be careful that you don't end up in the 'Lord Lord' group(Matthew 7). They claimed to know him but he considered them strangers. They witnessed his ministry in action but they didn't have fellowship with Him. It is important that you take your relationship with him further than Pilate did. Pilate simply acknowledged, Jesus disciples lived for him with a passion. There is a difference. You can see it played out. Nominal christianity is a statement of a fact, 'Jesus is king'. Authentic Christianity is a glad submission to his kingship. Are you a patriotic citizen of Jesus' Kingdom or do you simply acknowledge his kingship but do little to support the advancement of the Kingdom? 

Friend, if you are uncertain then plead for a passion. Just simply ask God to do a miraculous work of making you fall in love with his Glory. Ask him to rescue you from the pitfall of false conversion found in Matthew 7 and Acts 5. What could possibly be worse than standing before the King of Kings and finding out that you might have posted a sign about him declaring your christianity but he calls you out on the insignificance of a sign.

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