Where Is YOUR Allegiance

©Lightwritingmatters 2015

Theme Scripture

And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: ⁴ ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I ^[a]bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. ⁵ Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. – Ex 19:3

Query:

Speaking of allegiance…if the earth is GOD’s to whom should we then be preeminently loyal?

•            GOD or USA, or any other nation.
• ·        GOD or the President, or any other ruler of humankind?
• ·        GOD or the Pope, Pastor, Rabbi or any other religious leader of humankind?
• ·        GOD or the US Constitution, or any other governing rule of order?
• ·        GOD or your Boss?
• ·        GOD or your family?
• ·        GOD or your friends?
• ·        GOD or your pets?

Where are you aligned?

Discussion:

According to ‘dictionary.com’ the following is the definition of ‘Allegiance’.

• the loyalty of a citizen to his or her government or of a subject to his or her sovereign.

• loyalty or devotion to some person, group, cause, or the like.

You may think this a series of ridiculous questions and on the surface you may be altogether right. For it is absolutely clear to Christians where their loyalties lie and in what priority. Or, is it? Or, should it be? 

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”—Ex 20:3

Most Christians feel comfortable in their allegiance but if the 2016 election for President in the United States [U.S.] is any indication of where allegiances may exist the great divide of that country begins to rightly ask the questions above. This blog is not for political discussion but in trying to make the point of GODly allegiance the past election found Christians, as a whole, on one side or the other regarding their loyalties of ‘political persons’ and for those feeling divided off from those who do not share an opinion then it is in fact FITTING to ask “Where does your allegiance lie?” No matter which side of the divide there are some whose verbal and activist commentary has flirted with and sometimes is outright adoration, adulation, and reverence of either a woman or a man, albeit, both seeking the office as head of state in the U.S. Some Christians have become apologists for either of the individuals minimizing behavior and acts that run completely contrary to the Christian Character and at odds with the GOD they worship.

“37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  38“This is the first and great commandment. 39 “And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” –Matt 22:37-40

First and foremost, the Christians’ allegiance to GOD must not be to just some ‘entity’ as an ethereal or imagined idea of a GOD. It must be to GOD the Almighty whose whole being is about LOVE as expressed through a complicated yet quite understandable structure of obedience, fidelity, righteousness, mercy, grace, -- not at all in this order. Also, not to be forgotten -- a clear path to one of two destinations upon completion of our physical life: One to joy as a reward and the other no joy as a reward.

Did you know GOD is quite articulate as to things he hates?

“These six things the Lord hates,

Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:

17 A proud look,

A lying tongue,

Hands that shed innocent blood,

18 A heart that devises wicked plans,

Feet that are swift in running to evil,

19 A false witness who speaks lies,

And one who sows discord among brethren.” – Pro 6:16-19

Jesus explains who the originated lying: “Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. 43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.” – John 8:42-47 [Read this selection in context in your own Bible beginning at John 8:1]

Contrast Jesus to the devil, father of the lie: “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” – John 14:6

Corralling this discussion back to GOD and allegiance to HIM incomparably and supremely, we must ask ourselves the first question above: “Speaking of allegiance…if the earth is GOD’s to whom should we then be preeminently loyal?” Our Christian life, our Christian words, our Christian actions, should all be obvious to anyone who knows a Christian. They should see they are loyal with an unwavering allegiance to GOD first. Thereafter, you may have your own idea of priorities as to whom you devote your loyalties with the single caveat, GOD and GOD alone is #1 where the Christian’s allegiance lies.

We may face expulsion from some facets of our lives BECAUSE we are Christian, because our allegiance is primarily and preemptively to GOD. However difficult such matters may seem to endure we are not the first to suffer such. We learn from our first century Christian leaders: “²⁶ Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. ²⁷ And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, ²⁸ saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” ²⁹ But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.” – Acts 5:26-29

So, as we realign our individual allegiances as Christians  -- GOD is first. As we begin to tuck the other loyalties in under GOD be sure to remember we do not want to be so loyal to someone or something that we undermine our loyalty to GOD by any actions or words which do not become the CHRISTIAN life. We do not cover over lies no matter who tells them; we do not foist one man/woman above another because we prefer one person thus overlooking or giving the impression of tacit acceptance to the person’s actions or words despite our CHRISTIAN principles.

To the Nation we obey GOD’s WORD: “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” – Rom 13:1

To the President: “4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.” – Rom 13:4-7

To your Christian Leadership:” Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.…Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.” Heb 13:7, 17

To the governing documents of your nation please refer to Acts 5:29 as your cornerstone. If obedience to your governing documents does not require you to go against GOD or HIS Word then Rom 13 covers the answer.

As to your boss, your family and your friends our Christian commitment is to behave always in ‘Love’ as a testimony to Christ.

Finally, Jesus gave us this one last commission: “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matt 28:19-20

Whatever we do our testimony should lead non-Christians to Christ; Should confirm our allegiance to GOD in our words and actions; Should witness as to our faith in whom, in what and why. That also means our many loyalties would be seen in support of all that is part of this paragraph. Having said that, is there division in your life because of disagreements of a political nature that may have come between yourself and your family or other Christians? How might you resolve or heal the division? We have the holiday season coming and hopefully time with loved ones. If we have tension or division let’s try to heal it leading by example. We have this rule of thumb:

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God” – 1 Cor 10:31-32 †

 Bibles Designations

KJV – King James Version

NIV – New International Version

NWT – New World Translation

ASV -- American Standard Version

DISCLAIMER: The thoughts published on this blog, in total, are the opinions, thoughts and considerations of the writer/author of every post published. It is assumed that research by the reader will lead the reader to their own conclusions. It is not the writer’s intent to make a judgment of anyone but to allow GOD’s Word to do what it does. “For the word of GOD is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from GOD’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” – Hebrews 4:12 [NIV]

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