In Jesus’ day, Rome’s government demanded its citizens pledge allegiance to Caesar. The Christian’s refusal to call Caesar “Lord,” in light of their newly christened “Lord Jesus,” didn’t fly.

By asserting “Jesus is Lord,” many Christians opposed Rome’s rule through peaceful resistance. Many Christians decided citizenship in God’s kingdom was more important than pledging allegiance to Caesar.

College can be like that.

I went to a four-year liberal arts college. There were kingdoms other than God’s vying for allegiance there. They were powerful and persuasive.

Like Rome, they offered nice benefits. These other kingdoms had aspirations and elicited faithfulness just like God's kingdom. I bet your school is like that too.

Here are a few things to keep in mind on campus:

1) “Don’t focus on what you can’t have. Get all you can have,” as hip-hop artist The Ambassador said. When we take hold of everything that is ours in Christ, we feel full, and we lose our appetite for junk food.

2) Be a revolutionary and activist. Ironically, this may mean sitting in your dorm room by yourself on a Saturday night.

3) Believe the movement you are part of is bigger than you. Imagine yourself as a part of the global church in all of history, not just little old you.

4) Get your mind right. Following Caesar starts with wrong ideologies, mantras and beliefs. Following Jesus starts with right ones.

5) Respect God's ideas about how to live. God did not just make up some arbitrary rules. Sin is unapproved because it's harmful.

6) Avoid collusion with sin because it costs. It can ripple through us and others for years.

7) Like the first Christians, stubbornly insist Jesus is Lord when Rome presses you to bow to Caesar.

8) Speak with your actions, not just your words.

Action: Out of those points pick one that resonates most with you. Expand it to a 100-word essay.