Articles
The Value of Loyalty
Loyalty. We don’t need to define it. We know it when we see and experience it. We cherish it. We want it. We need it.
Has this cherished attribute been lost today? We are surrounded by a lot of noise in the world. But that is noise in the world. The world has never been long on loyalty. As has been said before, it is “Dog eat dog. Every man for himself.”
However, that is not characteristically true of God’s people. Loyalty is part of who we are. It begins with our relationship with our Father. It extends to His word. It grows in His people. It flows from the Father through us. We imitate Him.
Because God is one, His desire is for His people to be one. What would loyalty look like?
First, loyalty does not mean we never disagree. It simply means that when we do disagree, we remain kin. Our loyalty to one another is not based on our likeability or agreement. It is based in something much more exalted. Our loyalty grows out of kinship with Christ. When we see one another we are looking at Christ. Husbands are admonished to love their wife “as” Christ loved the church. Wives are admonished to submit to their husband “as” the church does unto Christ. Our love for our wife and their respectful submission is not to one another, but “as unto Christ.” We are loyal to each “as unto Christ.” Our loyalty to one another is measured by our loyalty to Christ. So, when have disagreements, we don’t run off. Because our loyalty is not to ourselves but to Christ, we remain loyal to each other. Not everyone is going to agree with us; then what?
Second, loyalty enables us to really value one another. The world values people based on what they can do for each other. “What have you done for me lately?” Our value for each other is based on how we can serve one another. Again, did Christ drop the twelve because of their knot-headedness? No, He chose them. When He called, they came. They did not understand everything, but He kept them, and they stayed with Him. He valued them. Did God give up on Israel with all their complaining and petty whining? No, He had chosen them. Even when they rejected Him, He never gave up on them. He loved them. Our value, esteem, and love for each other instills in us loyalty to each other.
Third, loyalty is never tested when we are getting along. Loyalty is demonstrated when there is something adverse that affects our relationship with one another. It is hard to imagine, but Paul and Barnabas split over issues with John Mark. In the end their loyalty to each other was proven. Paul talks about Barnabas to the Corinthians. And, when he is in prison, he tells Timothy to bring John Mark in a hurry. He said, “He is good for me.” Loyalty is more than skin deep. It is heart deep.
Like I said in the beginning, we do not need to define loyalty. We know it when we see it. I know this, in this congregation we have a group of people who are loyal to the Lord and loyal to one another. Never doubt it!
Rickie Jenkins
