By Paul Mundey
2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. A central focus of that document is a proclamation of freedom from royal rule, specifically the reign of the King of England. This instinct for independence has persisted in American culture, leaving many uneasy about any allegiance to an external power or authority.
But in fact, we’re all beholden to some outside influence, whether acknowledged or not. Someone or something has gravitas in our lives, swaying us toward a lifestyle, a thought pattern, or a conviction. Possibilities include a parent (living or deceased), an ideology, a politician, a religious belief system, a media personality, or a recreational pursuit.
Amid our devotions, God in Christ summons us to His gravitas and Kingdom. This beckoning is foreshadowed when the angel clarifies Jesus’ identity at His birth: “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11, emphasis added).
Given our aversion to allegiance, acknowledging Jesus’ gravitas, specifically as Lord, is, at best, awkward. But this prospect becomes plausible if we indeed grasp that we’re already beholden to someone or something. The question is which gravitas and influence are the healthiest and wisest? The expanse of Scripture implores that God in Christ is best, the only true source of abundant and faithful life (John 10:10; John 15:5).
Scripture also reveals that giving ultimate allegiance to Jesus as Lord is costly (Luke 9:23; Luke 14:28-33). In essence, it requires us to dislodge other persuasions and place Christ alone at the center of our being. As theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer asserts, “Christ is indeed the centre of human existence, the centre of history and…the centre of nature.” This is a radical act, for other life elements and cultural influences often insist that they are necessary to complete or advance Jesus’ mission. But we are called to be resolute in keeping Christ alone dominant.
Historically, political ideologies have been among the loudest voices clamoring to join Jesus in the center. One expression is Christian Nationalism. This thought-system strives to wrap Jesus in the flag of a nation-state, entwining Christ’s convictions with those of a particular national identity or political persuasion. But the Bible is clear: Jesus melds with no political dogma or country but only with the Kingdom of God. Jesus’ famed encounter with Governor Pilate underscores this. “My kingdom does not belong to this world,” Jesus asserts. “Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate asked him, “What is truth?” (John 18:36-38).
Jesus’ words are brilliant and clarifying, attesting to truth. As Christ speaks, He establishes that no worldly system, including a political ideology, is synonymous with His domain, the Kingdom of God. In addition, Christ skillfully confirms His identity as the King of the Kingdom, the singular source of true well-being. Thus, the wisest and only path forward is found in Christ the King, as we surrender to Him as Lord, aligning ourselves with His other way of living and the priorities of His reign.
Such exclusivity, along with the allegiance it requires, stirs our objections. A declaration of independence growls; other ideologies and personalities tantalize and seduce, clamoring for “equal billing.” Yet Jesus looms large in Scripture and Christian testimony, decisively identifying Himself as the “one and only” source of life (John 14:6) and the world’s rightful Lord (Philippians 2:9-11).
The Barmen Declaration emerged in Germany in 1934 as a response to National Socialism, which sought to co-opt the church into its political ideology and destiny. Notably, the first thesis of the Barmen Declaration asserts: “Jesus Christ, as he is attested for us in Holy Scripture, is the one Word of God.” This conviction echoes the belief of early church leaders, who likewise affirmed the primacy of Jesus. A striking episode occurred while Paul and Silas ministered in Thessalonica. Their outreach was effective, and the Jewish establishment grew jealous, inciting an uproar in the city, aided by some ruffians. While seeking Paul and Silas, the mob went to the house of Jason (Paul and Silas’ host) and dragged him and others before the city authorities. As they did, they shouted: “These people who have been turning the world upside down have come here also…They are all acting contrary to the decrees of the emperor, saying that there is another king named Jesus.” The people and the city officials were disturbed when they heard this.” (Acts 17:1-8).
This text offers several Kingdom insights: 1) Surrendering to Jesus as Lord is inherently disruptive; people will be disturbed; 2) The Kingdom of God cannot be equated with a nation-state or a head of state. As biblical scholar N.T. Wright notes, “If Jesus is Lord, then Caesar is not”; 3) The lordship of Christ is disruptive, intended to reorient, “turning upside down” all of life.
In Mere Christianity, Christian apologist C. S. Lewis invites readers to picture their life as a house. When God first begins His work, His actions make sense because He repairs obvious problems, such as a leaky roof or faulty plumbing. Soon, however, God begins knocking down walls, adding new wings, and doing disruptive work that feels painful and confusing. This is because God is not merely repairing the house but transforming it into something entirely new. What we thought would be a simple cottage is being rebuilt into a palace—because God intends to come and live in it Himself.
Surrendering to Jesus as Lord is disruptive and far-reaching, for Christ seeks to dislodge the status quo and transform completely. Such change is not only personal but also systemic, as all of God’s created realm is altered. New Testament scholar Richard Hays captures this truth in his literal rendering of 2 Corinthians 5:17: “If anyone is in Christ—new creation!” Such rebirth includes personal newness but is not limited to that realm, for Jesus’ sway is sweeping, redeeming all of life.
We are called to acknowledge such a comprehensive, transforming Lord. Other leaders and ideologies tempt and seduce; a penchant for independence lingers—but only Jesus fulfills, worthy of our life and allegiance. Thus, in line with “Christ Alone: A Call to Faithful Resistance” (a statement of the Faithful Resistance Community Network), we affirm “before God and the Church our allegiance to Jesus Christ alone and not to any leader, ideology, or political entity that exalts itself as sovereign.”
Jesus is Lord, uniquely, totally, without rival. He is not one authority among many, but the rightful King overall, saving and transforming, making all things new. As we yield to Him, we are reoriented, reshaped, restored—awakened to the life that is truly life (1 Timothy 6:19)!
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Paul Mundey is a minister, consultant, and writer. From 2019-2021, he served as Moderator of the Church of the Brethren.
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