Benedict Arnold is one of the most infamous characters in American History. Because of bitterness over promotions he thought he deserved but did not receive, he switched sides during the Revolutionary War, and his name will forever be linked with that betrayal. Could your name, or mine, ever be connected with the word “traitor”?
The apostle Paul warned that there would be traitors in the last day (II Tim. 3:1–5). Could we be guilty of being a spiritual traitor, or capable of committing spiritual high treason?
Characteristics of a traitor
New World Webster’s Dictionary defines a traitor as “one who violates his allegiance and betrays his country; one guilty of treason; one guilty of perfidy” (1986). We want to find ourselves on solid ground, not wavering under the pressures of Satan’s society, so let’s examine these three terms—allegiance, treason and perfidy—in the light of our spiritual calling.
Allegiance
Allegiance is the obligation or loyalty of a subject or citizen to his sovereign or government according to New World Webster’s Dictionary (1986). As Christians, our allegiance first and foremost is to God. He has called us and is training us to teach and rule with Christ in His kingdom that will be set up on the earth at Christ’s return (Rev. 5:10). Many have forgotten, or lost sight of, their incredible calling and where their allegiance should be—going back into the world, growing lukewarm, even taking part in apostasy. To avoid these outcomes that violate our allegiance, we should reconsider the agreement we made with God at baptism. Do we remember how we said we would follow God? Do we remember sitting down and counting the cost of discipleship (Luke 14:26–32)? Do we remember agreeing to forsake all we had, if need be (v.33)? We have all, at one time or another, come up short in meeting the terms of our baptism covenant, but now is the time for God’s people to renew, restore, and remember our allegiance to God and His government.
We do not want to form an allegiance with this world or its governments, which are under Satan’s control. Christ responds to Pilate in John 18:36, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” Christ will dismantle all of man’s governments, and set up His kingdom, our true country, that will not be destroyed (Dan. 2:34–35). God’s people are not to get involved with this world’s governments or wars. God’s government will be brought to this world shortly, and those who have maintained their allegiance to God will rule with Jesus Christ (Rev. 20:6). Who are we giving our allegiance to?
Treason
According to New World Webster’s Dictionary, treason is the act of giving aid or comfort to the enemies of one’s country (1986). The greatest enemy of God’s government is Satan the devil. In the parable of the tares, it was the enemy, Satan, who sowed the tares among the wheat (Matt. 13:39). Satan continues his work.
We can, if we are not careful, give aid and comfort to Enemy Number One. One way is by compromise. When we study ancient Israel’s or the New Testament Church’s history, we find a pattern in God’s people of compromise. Throughout the prophets’ writings there are warnings to God’s people to come away from their compromise of choice: pagan worship. In Revelation 2 and 3, God warns various churches on a mail route that He has a few things against them. Some of God’s people needed to repent and do the first works, some pretended to be Jews, some held on to the doctrine of Balaam, and some allowed Jezebel to teach and seduce God’s servants into sexual immorality. What about us today? Are we lacking in the zeal department to do the first works? Are we totally following the example of Christ? Are we allowing foreign doctrine that is not acceptable to God into our lives? These are very important questions we should ask ourselves to determine if we are helping Satan by our own compromise. Especially today, we should be on guard against compromise when so many are attempting to contradict what God restored through Mr. and Mrs Armstrong.
Perfidy
Perfidy is defined as deceitfulness; untrustworthiness (New World Webster’s Dictionary, 1986). Potentially, man can become full members of the God family with the awesome power and glory of God and Christ. First, though, we must show, through our obedience to God, that He can trust us. God tested Abraham’s trustworthiness by asking him to sacrifice Isaac, his long–awaited son. After Abraham had demonstrated his willingness to obey God, and carry through with the sacrifice of his son, God said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me” (Gen. 22:12). Like Abraham, we must achieve a "now I know" relationship with God. We can build such a relationship much the same way Abraham did; one day at a time. Long before Abraham was faced with the command to sacrifice his son, back when he was named Abram, he started a pattern of trusting and obeying God. God told Abram to go, and he went (Gen. 12:1, 4). We must build God’s trust in us daily by our obedience. Then, when tests of “Biblical proportion” come, we will not waver.
Today, God’s people are being tested concerning God’s truth. Do we love God’s truth? Can God trust us to be diligent about speaking and learning His truth? Will speakers neglect, water down, dismiss or twist the truth? Will listeners stay in their comfort zone, refusing to prove all things or embracing compromise with God’s truth? Or will they take a stand? How do we want God to know us?
Penalty
In the early years of the United States, traitors could expect to give their lives for the crime of treason. Christian traitors will have to give their eternal life. God, in His mercy, gives His people ample warnings to return to Him. The vital solution to spiritual treason is to repent. Heed God’s warning to “…repent and do the first works…” (Revelation 2:5). If we avoid being a traitor by minding who we give our allegiance to, guarding against compromise, and building trustworthiness, we can keep moving forward to God’s Kingdom.