"Not of this World" What does this mean for the Christ follower? (John 18:36)

Our text says, "Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm." The context of this passage reminds us that Jesus is talking with Pilate. Jesus is assuring Pilate that His kingdom is in no way connected to any political system that's trying to overthrow Rome, neither does Jesus' kingdom have it's roots in the evil world system that's in rebellion to God! In other words, Jesus was leading a spiritual movement that would affect people's hearts for eternity! This movement was about forcefully and decisively overwhelming sin in people's lives! Thank you Jesus! In another passage, Jesus prayed, "I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world" (John 17:14). Notice that we're "not of this world" because our Lord is "not of this world!" Peter said it this way, "For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust" (2 Peter 1:4). Because of being born again, (partakers of the divine nature) the Christ follower "escapes" from the power that this corrupt world system has over them through our sin nature. But thanks be to God, that one day we'll partake of the divine nature in a more significant way through being given glorified bodies (Philippians 3:21). In the meantime, we'll continue to walk as Jesus walked, which means walking out of step with this world! Because of being born again, we must have a different viewpoint than those of the world. Our viewpoint comes from God and His Word. As Christ followers, we have a home "not of this world" (Philippians 3:20). "We have no lasting city on earth, but seek the one to come" (Hebrews 13:14). Hebrews 11:10 shares with us, "For he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God." A part of living by faith means that we, like Abraham have God's viewpoint and seek "the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God" (Revelation 21:2). Your move. Be encouraged!