OF MINDFUL ALLEGIANCES
“Asa then took the silver and gold out of the treasuries of the Lord’s temple and of his own palace and sent it to Ben-Hadad king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus. “Let there be a treaty between me and you,” he said, “as there was between my father and your father. See, I am sending you silver and gold. Now break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so he will withdraw from me.””
2 Chronicles 16:2-3 NIV
The story of King Asa begins on the right foot, as he corrected many wrongs his forefathers had indulged in before he ascended the throne.
In his later years, however, familiarity and perhaps complacency crept in unbeknownst to him. In his carelessness, he made an allegiance with a foreign king, forgetting that throughout his reign it had been God’s grace that accompanied him through every battle and brought him home victorious.
One might argue that one mistake should not have cost him so greatly, but when it came to kings, their actions went beyond personal correction. Theirs was a covenantal role that carried great significance for God’s people. The mistake of one king could cause many to stumble, and likewise, the uprightness of a king could restore righteousness in a land.
Similarly, Scripture calls us “kings and priests” unto God (Revelation 1:6), underscoring the need for believers to be finely attuned to what God desires to do in their lives and through their lives. Child of God, Christianity is not merely a show of morality or correct behavior, but a deeply ingrained responsibility for every soul sealed by the Spirit to see every man and woman you encounter as precious in the sight of God.
This enables you to live not as one pretending, but with genuine care for others, a heartfelt hatred for error, a loving posture in addressing it, and most importantly, the ultimate goal of restoration and reconciliation wherever possible. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. Hallelujah.
Prayer: Father, I thank You for this wisdom. I thank You for those who lived as an aroma of Christ before I knew the truth. Lead me, help me, and strengthen me to be that same light for those who cross my path, that they too may come to the knowledge of the truth. In Jesus’ name, amen.
CI.
RELATED RESOURCES
• Jeremiah 17:5
• Isaiah 31:1
• Luke 12:48
