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I Pledge Allegiance To The Bible
Contributed by James Chandler on Oct 14, 2003 (message contributor)
Summary: We had an evening dedicated to "God’s Word." We had special music, the Pledge to the Bible, and a devotional.
On a Sunday night, we had seven different people each get up and share their favorite Bible verse, and what that verse means to their lives. Then I shared the following devotional.
I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God’s Holy Word, and will make it a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path, and will hide its word in my heart that I may not sin against God.
We say the pledge to the Bible, but what does it really mean? Let’s take a deeper look and discover some truths.
I pledge allegiance to the Bible...
Allegiance...I will give it the utmost honor and respect.
I will do what it says.
It will govern what I say and do. How I live.
My allegiance, my honor, respect, and life, will belong to no one else.
Not spouses, employers, fans, friends, enemies,
My allegiance is to Jesus Christ who is the Word that became flesh.
God’s Holy Word...
God’s Word is Holy. It is set apart. It is different from any other word, any other book.
It has a specific purpose.
To reveal to God to man, that man might be saved.
Because the Bible is God’s Holy Word, I give it my allegiance.
Nothing else is as powerful or awesome as God’s Word, so nothing else deserves
my allegiance.
And will make it a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path...
How do we make God’s word a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path?
We use a lamp and a light to see where we are going.
Lawn mower in the dark trying to scare kids.
We determine our direction and path in life in accordance with God’s will.
Maybe many Christians find themselves in messes because they do not allow God’s word to guide them in their path and in decisions.
We must allow God to work through his word and of course the Holy Spirit to guide us in our everyday lives.
And will hide its words in my heart that I might not sin against God...
What is the cure for getting rid of sin and dealing with temptation?
A regular diet of God’s Word.
God’s Word cannot just stay in our head.
We must take it into our heart. Make it a part of our lives. Not just a bunch of facts and words to memorize, but living breath of God that needs to access to our innermost part of our lives.
Jesus used God’s Word in each of the three temptations we read about in Matthew‘s Gospel.
The more we have God’s Word in our hearts and lives, the more power and ammunition we have to battle temptation and sin.
What does God’s Word need to do in your life tonight?
Christian- does God’s Word need to convict you of some sin? Build you up and encourage you? Guide you in a big decision.
If Jesus is not your Lord, God’s word can lead you to salvation. It tells you exactly what you need to do to be saved.
Believe that Jesus is Lord.
Confess Christ
Repent of sin
Be baptized
Live for him