Allegiance

(The following is written by Rachel. For other posts by Rachel, click here)

Do you ever wonder why we struggle so much to declare allegiance to Jesus as our King? I think it is for two reasons: one, we are believing in and operating out of a false/incomplete gospel.  The gospel that some Christians are operating out of allows Jesus to be King only on their terms and allows Him to rule in only the areas that they accept.  Two, we have never lived under the rule of a traditional monarchy.  There are some who like to think of the rule of Jesus more as a democracy, where we can vote on the things we do and do not agree with, and follow the parts of the Bible that we like and ignore the parts we do not.  

A long time ago, if you lived under the rule of a king/queen, they were in charge.  Your livelihood usually hinged upon what kind of king/queen was ruling.  There was no arguing, resisting, or doing what you wanted to do because you thought you knew better.  Do you realize that following Jesus means you are declaring Him as King over your life?  When you start to follow Jesus, you are swearing allegiance to Him and Him alone.  

Isaiah 19:18a says, “In that day there will be five cities in the land of Egypt that speak the language of Canaan and swear allegiance to the Lord of hosts.” Notice that the writer does not say they are swearing by Him, but to Him.  Swearing allegiance to Jesus Christ communicates a submission and subjection of self to Him.  

Again we see in Isaiah 45:23, “By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return; ‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.’”  

We are declaring Him to be our King and choosing also to obey Him, regardless of how we feel about it.  

 What do you think of when you hear the word, “allegiance?” I know that for most of my life, my mind would have immediately thought of the Pledge of Allegiance.  We had to say it everyday at school, although I can admit that I never really gave thought to what it meant.  Have you considered that following Jesus is a pledge of allegiance to Him? You are declaring that He is the lord and King over your life.  You are declaring that He is in charge, He makes the rules, and He guides your decision-making.  You are aligning your life, thoughts, attitudes, actions, and beliefs with that of Christ.  We see all throughout the Gospels Jesus saying, “Follow me.” A few examples are Matthew 4:19, John 21:22, Matthew 8:22, and Mark 10:21. What He is saying is, “pledge your allegiance to me. “

 Throughout the scriptures we see language of Jesus as our King: 

“Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. “ Psalm 84:3

“On His robe and on His thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of Lords.” Revelation 19:16

“Perceiving that they were about to come and take Him by force and make Him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by Himself.” John 6:15

“Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross.  It read, ‘Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.’” John 19:19 

“Which He will display at the proper time-He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords.” 1 Timothy 6:15

Jesus came to Earth to bring His Kingdom and the culture of the Kingdom here.  That is why He taught His disciples to pray, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.” (Matthew 6:10).  If He was brining a new kingdom to Earth then there has to be a King to that Kingdom and it is Jesus.  

 So, what does this mean for us? If Jesus is my King, how does that change my life? It changes everything.  He has the authority to rule over every area of my life.  I am swearing allegiance to Him as my King and by doing so, fighting off anything and everything that does not bring His kingdom here to Earth.

We see this also in Hebrews, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2).  I give Him my time, my money, my energy, my gifts, and my life.  When people make a decision to follow Jesus, they are normally instructed to pray a prayer telling Jesus they believe in Him and accept Him into their lives.  I believe this is the wrong approach.  The prayer should be more like a pledge of allegiance that goes something like this:

Father in Heaven, I pledge my absolute and undying allegiance to you.  You are my King and I am your servant, here to do your will and advance Your Kingdom.  I exist to glorify you, and all areas of my life I submit to your rule and give to you.  I am nothing and can accomplish nothing without you.  I need your strength to deny myself each day and follow You.  May I bring Your Kingdom here on Earth and do Your will forever. Amen.  

(The above post was written by Rachel)