Introduction
The moment we accepted Christ as Saviour we promised to follow, trust and obey Him with all our heart, soul and strength. We have no higher authority than the Lord, and this being so, we owe Him our full allegiance.
Jesus
our Saviour
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10) … “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God” (1 John 4:15).
Before we came to the Lord we were lost in sin but, upon confession of faith in Him, He became our personal Saviour. He is the only Redeemer the true Christian church knows anything about, for He is the only one who died on the cross for the sins of the world and was raised from the dead three days later. No other religion can boast of a resurrected Lord and Saviour.
We believe that there is no other way to Heaven but through Him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6) for “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). The amazing thing is, and one for which we should be continually grateful, Jesus Christ came into our lives the instant we believed the Gospel.
Can we not share this good news with others who are still lost in sin and destined to Hell? Can we not point them to the one who can “save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him” (Hebrews 7:25)? If He has our allegiance we ought to tell them.
Jesus
our Shepherd
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep … I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture … I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep” (John 10:7,9,11) … “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).
As the Good Shepherd He guides, protects and loves us. He always leads us in and to perfection, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake” (Psalm 23:2-3). He has given us His word so that we can read about the Heavenly Highway that He is leading us on that leads to the Heavenly City. In Him we find all that we will need for the Christian life. Also, He has given us the Holy Spirit to indwell, guide, teach and comfort us all along the way.
Since Jesus is our Shepherd, we ought to hear and obey His voice, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). Do we hear Him speaking to us as we read, study and meditate prayerfully upon His word? Our Shepherd does not flee when troubles come (John 10:12), but has promised to never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
How can we place our allegiance anywhere else but in Him?
Jesus
our Sanctifier
“Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted … Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus … Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the Heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 2:17-18; 3:1; 4:14-16) … “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Jesus Christ is our Great High Priest. He has saved us through His blood, but He also cleanses us if we fall into sin. His blood still avails for us because the work of sanctification is an ongoing process. During this process we should be growing in grace and the knowledge of Christ, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).
Our eternal life is settled in Heaven because of the work of Christ. His blood covers our sins past, present and future [this is justification], but since we do sin, His blood cleanses us too [this is sanctification]. The work of sanctification makes the believer right with God if he truly repents and confesses his sin. We can come to our Great High Priest without fear of rejection. “Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered without the gate” (Hebrews 13:12).
Does He not deserve our whole allegiance?
Conclusion
Who has our allegiance? Is it Christ or something in this world? Our allegiance must start and end with Him for Jesus is the “Author and Finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). The personal relationship we enjoy with Him must be maintained on a daily basis. The lives of many have fallen apart because they refused to put Him first.
The Lord Jesus Christ is our Saviour, Shepherd and Sanctifier; our allegiance belongs to Him.
Page created 8 April 2006