11 06 08 Allegiance

“The Holy Spirit clearly says that in the last days some people will leave the faith. They will follow spirits that will fool them. They will believe things that demons will teach them. Teachings like those come from liars who pretend to be what they are not. Their sense of what is right and wrong has been burned as if with a hot iron…
Point these things out to the brothers and sisters. Then you will serve Christ Jesus well. You were brought up in the truths of the faith. You received good teaching. You followed it. Don't have anything to do with godless stories and silly tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. Training the body has some value. But being godly has value in every way. It promises help for the life you are now living and the life to come. Here is a saying you can trust. You can accept it completely. We work hard for it. Here is the saying. We have put our hope in the living God. He is the Savior of all people. Most of all he is the Savior of those who believe.
Command those things. Teach them. Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young. Set an example for the believers in what you say and in how you live. Also set an example in how you love and in what you believe. Show the believers how to be pure. Until I come, spend your time reading Scripture out loud to one another. Spend your time preaching and teaching. Don't fail to use the gift the Holy Spirit gave you. He gave it to you through a message from God. It was given when the elders placed their hands on you. Keep on doing those things. Give them your complete attention. Then everyone will see how you are coming along. Be careful of how you live and what you believe. Never give up. Then you will save yourself and those who hear you.” (1 Timothy 4 NIrV)

I pledge ALLEGIANCE …I promise my loyalty and commitment. I give my word of honor. I vow to be faithful. Yes it’s honorable to pledge ALLEGIANCE to our nation…one nation under God. It’s worthy to pledge support for our church, our pastor, and the ministries of the church. It goes without saying to commit our faithfulness to our spouse and children. Yet above all these commitments is our undying loyalty and vow to commit to God, His purposes, and His principles.

In a day when we face so much change, one thing never changes. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. (Hebrews 13:8) He still seeks for all to be saved. He still seeks our praise and we should seek nothing but His glory. He still wishes for us to treat all men with respect and to pray for all men, especially those in authority. He also expects His people to obey all authority that He has put in place, unless of course it goes against His principles.

So as we face change and challenges, we also are provided chances to stand for His Word and His ways. We respectfully stand, preach, and teach. We use the gifts He has given each of us. We share the fruit we possess. Our true ALLEGIANCE is to our Father!