Romans Chapter 6: Verse 17 (NIV Translation)
But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.
At King Charles III’s coronation in May 2023, his son, Prince William, swore an oath of allegiance of service to his father. Then the Archbishop of Canterbury then invited the congregation and those watching, to join him in making a similar pledge, if they chose to. When we make an allegiance to a cause, or to a person, we are showing an intention to be loyal and faithful to it, or them, and a determination not to be swayed by other causes or opinions. Paul commended the young Roman church for its allegiance to the teaching of Christ. They had made a conscious decision to turn from their previous practices and follow Jesus.
We can sometimes be swayed quite easily between causes and opinions which fall in and out of popularity, but as Christians we need to be like those in the Roman church, and keep allegiance with the teaching of Christ, and indeed the whole Bible as the inspired word of God, no matter what.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the faithful witness of those who have stuck fast to Your teaching, sometimes at great cost. Help me to stay true to my pledge to follow Jesus, as the old chorus says – “no turning back.” I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.