To Who do I owe my allegiance?

Have you ever done anything for Christ, even one thing, you knew was right but it seemed everyone else thought it was wrong? I do not know how you will answer this question and my intent is not to know what your answer is but to bring to the forefront that living for Jesus (living a life of faith) is often a misunderstood lifestyle. Misunderstood to the degree that many, if not most, who misunderstand have no interest in understanding.

I would ask that if you think this line of thinking is wrong, read the gospels. Who better lived Christ-like, than Christ? Who better is an example of being misunderstood, than Jesus? As a Christian whose life are we to imitate --- Christ's.

The following words were written:

Living for Jesus, a life that is true,

Striving to please him in all that I do;

Yielding allegiance, glad hearted and free,

This is the pathway of blessing for me.

“Living for Jesus” was written in 1917 by Thomas Chisholm at the request of the composer, Harold Lowden, who had used his tune two years earlier with another text. Lowden, however, was not satisfied with the union of his tune with the earlier text and wrote Mr. Chisholm, suggesting the title “Living for Jesus” for the new hymn setting. Chisholm felt very inadequate for the task, but within two weeks the words were completed.

Thomas Chisholm had been an editor, a schoolteacher, and a Methodist minister before ill health forced him to begin a less strenuous life as an insurance salesman. His favorite endeavor had always been the writing of poetry, and he continued to do this all through his ninety-four years. “I have greatly desired,” he said, “that each hymn or poem might send some definite message to the hearts for whom it was written.” Though humble in spirit and frail in health, Chisholm found that writing encouraging words such as these for God’s people to sing was his “pathway of blessing.”

Living for Jesus can not be separated from a life of service for His kingdom's purpose.

None of us owe anything to anyone but Christ. If we live up to this standard, we will be fulfilling the life we were created for and touch other lives God intends for us to touch. When all is said and done, we stand before Him and no one else, so it is to Him we owe our allegiance.