#260 JESUS OUR ALLEGIANCE 10-9-26
Every life is built around some kind of allegiance. We give our loyalty to people, causes, convictions, and kingdoms. Some pledge themselves to political parties, others to national interests, and still others to personal ambitions. But for the Christian, there must be one allegiance that stands above every other: allegiance to Jesus Christ.
Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). His words leave no room for divided devotion. We cannot give Christ our Sunday worship while allowing the world to command our hearts the rest of the week. He is not merely an addition to our lives. He is Lord of our lives.
OUR ALLEGIANCE MUST BE PERSONAL.
Christianity is more than belonging to a congregation, following a tradition, or agreeing with a set of religious teachings. It is a life surrendered to the person of Jesus Christ. When Thomas saw the risen Lord, he confessed, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). That confession was personal, and our allegiance must be personal as well.
Paul declared, “For to me, to live is Christ” (Philippians 1:21). Christ was not simply part of Paul's life. Christ was the purpose of his life. Our allegiance begins when we stop asking what Jesus can do for our plans and begin asking how our lives can serve His purposes.
OUR ALLEGIANCE MUST BE PRACTICAL.
Loyalty is more than a declaration. It is demonstrated through daily decisions. Jesus asked, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). Calling Him Lord while refusing His authority is a contradiction.
Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Our allegiance becomes visible in our honesty, our forgiveness, our purity, our compassion, and our willingness to serve others. We cannot claim to honor the King while disregarding His kingdom's values.
James wrote that faith without works is dead (James 2:17). Obedience does not purchase God's grace, but genuine faith responds to His grace. When Jesus is Lord, His teaching must influence our homes, our conversations, our relationships, and our treatment of people who disagree with us.
OUR ALLEGIANCE MUST BE PERMANENT.
It is easy to proclaim loyalty when the road is smooth and the crowd is cheering. The test comes when obedience costs us something. Will we stand with Christ when His teachings are unpopular? Will we remain faithful when following Him requires sacrifice?
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). Notice that the cross is taken up daily. Allegiance to Christ is not a momentary emotional decision. It is a continuing commitment.
Paul could say near the end of his life, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). His circumstances changed, but his allegiance remained.
The Christian's highest loyalty belongs neither to public opinion nor personal comfort. It belongs to Jesus Christ, the One who loved us and gave Himself for us (Galatians 2:20).
One day, every earthly power will fade, every human achievement will lose its shine, and every temporary loyalty will be tested by eternity. But Jesus Christ remains the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
Let us give Him more than our words, more than our attendance, and more than our occasional attention. Let us give Him our hearts, our hands, our choices, and our lives.
Jesus does not ask to be one allegiance among many. He calls us to follow Him as Lord of all.
BDD
