Anyone who declares Jesus is their guiding light, their Lord, their Savior, but violates the covenant by continuing to live for themselves; that’s betrayal. That’s defection. It's not a casual turning away; it's a conscious and deliberate abandonment of all you've professed to hold dear. You’re renouncing your allegiance and forsaking the duty you once swore to uphold.

Why is this so important? Why do I feel it’s important to kick off this new season with this message? Because God is unchanging. He is the same yesterday today and forever. Modern-day American Christians, drunk on grace, falsely believe the unmerited favor of God pardons willful, continual sin and the consequences of such a lifestyle are covered by the blood of Christ. It does not. God's stance on defection, desertion, and violating your covenant with Him was documented over 3400 year ago and His judgment is death. And, church leaders, until we confront and address those who masquerade as Christians yet live a double life, we perpetuate a false reality of the Christian life. We can’t ignore the disconnect between words and actions. We must reclaim the name of Christian from those who tarnish it. Desertion, treason, and betrayal aren’t the marks of true faith. They’re not just unacceptable; they’re a slap in Jesus’ face as He hangs on the cross.

Through the blood of Christ, we have been qualified to receive salvation. If we live as qualified Christians, live worthy of the call to salvation, we have a boldness to come before God. We have a free and fearless confidence to draw near through Christ’s sacrifice.

Verses:

Deuteronomy 17:2-5; Hebrews 10:10-14; Luke 14:26-33; Ephesians 4:1; Hebrews 10:26-29; Hebrews 10:14-22

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