Real loyalty to Jesus Christ is quite rare and typically provokes trouble.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness. Against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” – Apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:12

Are You A Rebel?

Real loyalty to Jesus Christ (and not pious rhetoric) will almost always classify a person as a rebel. Even while they are complying and submitting to “spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places“. This rebel label is a spiritual thing, when seen it typically infuriates authorities. They likely will not understand why a certain person seems like a threat. Not only do Jesus-loyalists anger those in authority they also anger people loyal to these rulers.

Evaluate Yourself

For Christian leaders, if we find ourselves getting angry at those we perceive disloyal, we may be opposing Jesus. It may be time to stand down, re-evaluate our allegiance and get to know the person.

This is the attitude I try to have toward earthly authorities, civil or religious:

“I will comply and submit to you to the extent that it not interfere with what Jesus Christ asks of me. (pats Trump/ Obama/ Pope (insert authority here) on the head). Let me be abundantly clear; Jesus Christ is the true Lord on this planet in every place.”

That attitude if lived out and applied everywhere will get a person in trouble. It may even get him killed.