''If you only want to look after your own life here on earth, you will lose it. You will not live forever with me. But if you are ready to give up your life here, and live my way, and tell other people the good news about me, then you will find real life, and you will live with me forever"- Mark 8:35 (PEV)
The first two Scottish missionaries sent to the New Hebrides Islands were killed and eaten by cannibals on the day they arrived. Thereafter, everyone refused to volunteer as missionaries to the Island. Eventually, when John G Paton agreed to go, many people tried to dissuade him that he would be eaten by cannibals. But Paton replied, “If I can but live and die serving and honouring the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I am eaten by cannibals or by worms; and in the Great Day my resurrection body will arise as fair as yours in the likeness of our risen Redeemer.” After fifteen years of fruitful ministry, almost everyone on the Island had become Christian. (Missionary to the New Hebrides, John Gibson Paton, and James Paton)
The test of allegiance is the divine filter that God uses to separate the men from the boys in His kingdom. It is an important criteria for enlisting believers into the highest seat of honour in Heaven's Hall of Fame. God will never empower and use anyone who has never passed His test of allegiance on earth. For example, In Philippians 2:8-12, Jesus passed the test of allegiance before His name was inscribed into the Hall of Fame.
In Acts 21:10-15, Apostle Paul passed the test of allegiance before God could use him to rescue many Gentiles from eternal agony. His unwavering allegiance to divine mandate made him embark on a missionary journey to Jerusalem even when he knew that he may be imprisoned or killed (Acts 20:22-24). By that singular act of loyalty, Heaven filtered Apostle Paul's name out from the list of "the boys" in his generation. This ''If I perish, I perish'' mentality opened doors of great exploits and turned him into a masterpiece among his contemporaries and superiors in Ministry.
“..But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it in finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God'' Acts 20:22-24 (NLT)
Beloved, God is still conducting the test of allegiance in our generation. Heaven is still in the business of separating the men from the boys. The question is; will you pass or fail the test of allegiance? Do you value your life and possessions more than God? Will you obey the Lord's command even when it appears risky? Please be sincere and set your life in order.
The lyrics of an old-time Christian song below should be our watch word until we see Christ in glory:
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE LAMB By Ray Boltz
1. I have heard how Christians long ago
Were brought before a tyrants throne
And they were told that he would spare their lives
If they would renounce the name of Christ
Chorus:
I pledge allegiance to the lamb
With all my strength
With all I am
I will seek to honor His commands
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb
2. But one by one they chose to die
The Son of God they would not deny
Like a great angelic choir sings
I can almost hear their voices ring
3. Now the years have come and the years have gone
But the cause of Jesus still goes on
And now our time has come to count the cost
To reject this world, to embrace the cross
4. And one by one let us live our lives
For the One who died to give us life
Till the trumpet sounds on the final day
Let us proudly stand and boldly say
May God grant us grace to truly reject the world, embrace the Cross and honour His command at all times. And if you have never pledged allegiance to the Lamb of God that bore your pains, shame, and eternal sorrow on that old rugged cross, I urge you to please do so now.
Good day and God bless you. Amen
Maranatha!
Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo
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