MY DECLARATION OF ALLEGIANCE
Matthew 5:1-11; Romans 12:1-8
Today I am stepping across the line. I’m tired of waffling, and I’m finished with wavering. I’ve made my choice; the verdict is in; and my decision is irrevocable. I’m going God’s way. There is no turning back. Jesus is my Lord, the Holy Spirit is my Guide, and I choose to cooperate with the healing God intends for my life.
I realize I am not God. I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing. I earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him, and that He has the power to help me be an overcomer. Therefore, I consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ’s care and control, confessing my faults and submitting to every change God wants to make in my life, humbly asking Him to remove my character defects. I will spend time with God in order to know Him and His will for my life and gain the power to follow His will.
I will live the rest of my life serving God’s purposes with God’s people on God’s planet for God’s glory. Since my past has been forgiven, and I have a purpose for living and a home awaiting in heaven, I refuse to waste any more time or energy on shallow living, petty thinking, trivial talking, useless regretting, hurtful resenting, or faithless worrying. Instead I will magnify God, serve in ministry, grow to maturity, and fulfill my mission through God’s family.
Realizing that this life is preparation for the next, I refuse to be molded by this world. I will value worship over wealth, “we” over “me”, character over comfort, service over status, and people over possessions, position and pleasure. I will not live in the past or hold grudges. I choose to offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and will try to make amends, if possible, for harm I’ve done. I choose to be transformed toward God’s will.
I know what matters most, and I will give it all I’ve got. I will do the best I can with what I have for Jesus Christ today and every day. I won’t be captivated by culture, manipulated by critics, motivated by praise, frustrated by problems, debilitated by temptation, or intimidated by the devil. I’ll keep running my race with my eyes on the goal, not the sidelines or those running by me. When times get tough and I get tired, I won’t back up, back off, back down, back out, or backslide. I’ll just keep moving forward by God’s grace. I’m Spirit-led, and mission-focused, so I can’t be bought, I will not be compromised, and I will not quit until I finish the race.
I am a trophy of God’s amazing grace, so I will be gracious to everyone, grateful for every day, and generous with everything that God entrusts to me. I choose to honor the Lord as a member of His body, using my gifts to serve others. I yield myself to God to be used to bring His Good News to others, both by my example and by my words. I hereby declare my supreme allegiance to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I say however, whenever, wherever, and whatever you ask me to do, my answer is, “Yes I’m ready. Any time; any way. Whatever it takes Lord; whatever it takes! I want to be used by you in such a way that on that final day I’ll hear you say, ‘Well done, good and faithful one. Come on in and let the eternal party begin!’”
