This topic “Biblical Loyalty” is really vast and I will break it into Parts. The idea to break this into Parts will definitely help in making assimilation very easy.
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| The Bible (word of God) teaches us how to be loyal |
So, this Part will be about introduction into “Biblical Loyalty” and the Characteristics (how to recognize “Biblical Loyalty”).
It is the reason why one will have to “choose” whom one “will serve”, and give one’s all (be loyal) to that choice without any iota of fluctuation.
Fluctuation in Loyalty may attract very serious consequences, this is why there is the need to understand what it means when one decides to be committed to something/someone.
Memory Verse: Joshua 24:15 – “And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
If you read Joshua 24 from the first to the last verses, you will grasp the story in full and clinch a clear understanding of what being loyal means.
Here, Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, the elders, heads, judges and officers, and they all made themselves available before the Almighty God.
Joshua did this because he wanted the people of Israel to “choose” whom they “will serve”, and then go ahead and be loyal to their choice, because he sensed they were not completely loyal to God who saved them from the Egyptians. Joshua gave the people of Israel three choices:
- Almighty God who delivered them from the land of Egypt
- The gods which their fathers served
- The gods of the Amorites in whose land they dwell
Right there, Joshua made his choice known to the people of Israel – “…but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD”. He gave all his loyalty to the Almighty God.
The people of Israel answered Joshua: “God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods…therefore, will we also serve the LORD; for he is our God.”
This is it – the choice to be Loyal to God – a very good step, however, you will be ready to make sacrifices (you will have to say NO to so many things that do not conform to the Word of God in your life).
Introduction
According to The English Dictionary App (4.4.1): Loyalty means faithfulness or devotion to some person, cause or nation.
Loyalty brings to one’s mind that sense of belonging, unity and trust; with it comes constant commitment and obligation.
In the Bible, Loyalty is relational – please read Mark 12:29-31, John 15:13 and 1John 3:16. Here, we see Loyalty expressed to both God and fellow humans – the Lord commands – “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength”, and “we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren”, this simply means loving your neighbour as yourself.
Deuteronomy 7:9-10 – “Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations. And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face”.
Here, God promises a beautiful relationship only if we can love Him and obey His commandments (be truly loyal to him), however, there are grave consequences for disloyalty to the most high.
There are some blessings that we receive only if we can be loyal to the Almighty, meaning, there are benefits for being loyal to God
Biblical Loyalty Examined
- Ruth 1:16 – “And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go, and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.” Ruth, an embodiment of Biblical Loyalty as shown by her perfect commitment and dedication to her mother-in-law.
- Philippians 4:3 – “And I Intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.” Here, Apostle Paul speaks of a loyal partner, probably to be Titus or Silas, however, apparently someone who laboured with him faithfully
- Matthew 28:18 – “And Jesus came and spake into them, saying, All power is given into me in heaven and in earth.” Romans 1:16 – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God into salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” As Christians, our Biblical Loyalty is to Jesus Christ – authority, salvation, sanctification and deliverance from the forces of darkness. Our Biblical relational loyalty has to do with our complete devotion to Him as shown in Mark 8:34-35 – “And when he had called the people into him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.” And, for sure, an assurance of God’s divine loyalty as written in Matthew 28:20 – “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Characteristics of Biblical Loyalty – Read Proverbs 17:17
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| Loyalty rewards |
- Steadfastness: Loyalty does not waver. It encompasses untainted commitment to a course. Even in the face of storms, troubles, difficulty etc, believers are to stay loyal. When the raging and tempestuous issues of life faces us, Loyalty is brought to the surface.
- Action: Loyalty is what you do, not what you say. Talk is truly cheap, Loyalty does not flourish on the words that come out of our mouth alone. It has to be proven with several actions. Acts 1:1 says “…Jesus began both to do and teach”. Even Jesus showed his Loyalty by action. So, if one claims to be involved in the work of God but not verifiably practical, then, such person has not started Loyalty journey.
- Not Forceful: If one is being forced to do something, it will only bring about false/fake Loyalty. As a matter of truth, Loyalty is a willing decision. Galatians 6:7 says “Be not deceived; God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall be also reap”. What this means is, when one sows disloyalty, one reaps disloyalty.
- Demanding: Loyalty will surely demand from you. One will have to brace up for degrading and unthinkable tasks and responsibilities sometimes. The beautiful side of Loyalty is that these degrading tasks and responsibilities attracts great happiness and bestows on one great power in the future.
- Sacrifice: No controversy, Loyalty will require one giving up something of value, precious and importance at one’s personal expense (sometimes, in order to gain something more precious or more valuable). One’s Loyalty to God, family, ministry, friends etc will definitely push for long periods of sacrifices. 2 Timothy 3:1-2 says “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy”. Christianity teaches us to live a life of sacrifice. Serving people is serving God. Read Mark 10:43-45
- Rewards: Do not be deceived or lied to, Loyalty truly pays. If one ignores the building of the house of God and focuses on one’s own, then all that labour will yield no profit, however, if one builds God’s house first, then, the assurance is God will build one’s own house (Reward for being loyal). Read Haggai 1:4-11.
Prayer Point: Heavenly Father, strengthen my Christian Life with divine Loyalty, in the name of Jesus.
Feel free to share this Truth. The Word of God is nothing but the Truth, and only the Truth can set us free!
