I Pledge Allegiance

by Brad Spangler

As a student in school, I can remember publicly declaring my loyalty to the USA, and the vision that the founding fathers had established within the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Every morning, my classmates and I would say the following, “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Likewise, during the first century under Imperial Rome, it was common practice for Roman citizens to pledge their allegiance or loyalty to Caesar. At this time, Caesar Augustus was not only looked at as a great king, but also as a deity. Through military conquest he had finally brought Rome into a golden age of peace (Pax Romana), and this was the gospel message or “good news” that was being declared throughout the kingdom.

I’m referencing both of these pledges to help illustrate a deeper point. In the Bible you can also find a pledge of allegiance written by the Apostle Paul. In Romans 10:9-10 NLT it says, “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord (King) and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.”

You see the word “pistis” or “faith” in our modern English translations doesn’t just mean to believe or trust. It can also mean to have a loyal obedience. So what Paul was actually saying in his letter to the believers in Rome was that if they confess Jesus as King, believe in their heart that God raised Him from the dead, and publicly declared their allegiance or loyalty to Him they would be saved. Paul was directly challenging the gospel of Caesar. 

When we say that we are placing our faith in Jesus it goes much deeper than just a simple belief in Him. Ultimately, our faith should lead us into a loyal obedience to Him, His Word, and His vision for the world. I would encourage you to meditate on Romans 10:9-10 and look at this prayer as a “pledge of allegiance”. I believe that as you do this, the Holy Spirit will begin to empower you to walk in a deeper level of faith and loyal obedience to the one true King.