Fealty

In The Use of Law, published posthumously in 1629, Francis Bacon wrote, “Fealty is to take an oath upon a book, that he will be a faithful Tenant to the King.” That’s a pretty accurate summary of the early meaning of fealty. Early forms of the term were used in Middle English in the early 14th century, when they specifically designated the loyalty of a vassal to a lord. Eventually, the meaning of the word broadened. Fealty can be paid to a country, a principle, or a leader of any kind, though the synonyms fidelity and loyalty are more commonly used. Fealty comes from the Anglo-French word feelté, or fealté, which comes from the Latin noun fidēlitās, meaning “fidelity.” These words come ultimately from fidēs, the Latin word for “faith.”

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fealty

Fealty, as my understanding goes, was to submit to a lord. In this submission, it seems that the goal was total submission, meaning the king or lord could very well command a suicide mission in which the submitted person would willingly act upon without argument.

I find it interesting in the above description from Merriam-Webster that the word originated from the Latin word for "faith".

It just adds a bit of reality to something already revealed by scripture and the Holy Spirit. Making Jesus Lord is way more than just a simplistic prayer and vague commitment to serve.

It is more like Jesus Himself said...

Matthew 10:37

“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

There are many scriptures that warn heavily about taking this whole "Jesus thing" lightly.

As a LORD, He is to be both respected and implicitly obeyed. It means, if He calls out to send you on a suicide mission...You GO!

Looking at the relationship God demanded from Israelites and their good and bad responses, I think it is a clear expression of how it will go for those who take it lightly.

Revelation 3:15

15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!

16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

Again, this is not "OH, I go to church..." This is more. Cold of course means totally opposed. He is saying here that He would rather you openly worship the devil rather than be just a halfhearted, name only, Christian.

Of course there were, and are, variations in "following". Jesus had the multitudes, the 70, the 12, and even the closest 3. According to the parable of the Talents, even offering the money on deposit, or just going to church and receiving our faith back with interest is "at the very least" acceptable. Yet, is that REALLY where we want to be?

Jesus is coming back. He is going to rule this earth physically for one thousand years. He will be in Jerusalem, as it is written. Where will WE be?

Will we be there at all? "Spit you out of my mouth..." is not good. However, if you "just went to church", will you be in, or near Jerusalem...or maybe in some tiny town outside of what used to be Cleveland?

Barely known or really known. It's about the relationship you have now with Him. The one you either pursue or just do nothing. "Jesus is just alright with me..."

You can know a bit about God, but do you trust Him? Do you have faith in Him. Do you submit fealty to Him?

I guess you are the only one to answer that. Well, He will too, but by the time He does...it may be too late.

Over and Over in the New Testament writers speak of seeking and growing in the knowledge of God. If that idea is "meh" to you, you are NOT in a good place.

You cannot trust in what you don't know.

I recently saw a video of a guy who said he didn't believe in God until he prayed for a bizarre circumstance to happen. When it did, he confessed a newfound faith. Not in Jesus, but in a general idea of God. All he said afterward was "I know God is, and I know he has my back."

Does He?

God doesn't have anyone's back. He is not your wingman. He is either LORD or He is not. He is either Hot, or Cold to you.

If you want to be accepted by Him. If you want to be saved by Him. If you want to live with Him forever. You MUST be HOT for Him.

Look, the outskirts of Cleveland might be very nice for one thousand years, but the conceptual idea of that is similar to being a poor garbageman in the kingdom compared to a member of His entourage.

I know which one I find more palatable... for eternity.