Can you commit treason?

20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” —Galatians 2:20–21.

Digging Deeper
Here in Acts 17, we are reacquainted with the doctrine of Lordship Salvation as once again the disciples are in hot water over claiming another lord other than Ceaser. As we look deeply into this topic we find that the purpose, or identity, of every believer is to ‘belong to’ Christ as opposed to ‘belonging to’ the world. As Romans 12:1 tells us “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” So the sanctification journey is a lifelong process of continual holiness. We are not perfected in this life, but we continually separate ourselves and our identities from the things of this world. And as we are separating ourselves we are continually leaning on God’s Truth rather than man’s feeble wisdom.
The Bereans seen in Acts 17 were true students of scripture. They would only take teaching if it was found true in God’s word rather than the opinions of men. They are a shining example of how EVERY believer should trust God rather than men. In today’s information age, we have access to more bible translations and commentary from great biblical scholars than ever before, yet we live in the MOST biblically illiterate generation ever. This is due to the flock trusting men more than their own study of God’s word. Don’t just take it from Pastor Steve, or myself, but test everything we say against scripture. As 1 John 4:1-3 tells us.

“1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess [a]that Jesus [b]Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.” —1 John 4:1-3

Charismatic preachers come and go, but God’s word is the same today as it was before, and will be tomorrow. It is a constant, timeless bedrock of Truth.

Read through Joshua 2 Together. Discuss what Rahab’s Treason would look like today. (Consequences, Tactics, Conviction?)

Discussion Questions
1. If our government outlawed Christianity could you commit treason? In what ways do we already stand against the cultural norms?