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| Volume 25 Number 9 September 2023 |
Page 14 |
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| Volume 25 Number 9 September 2023 |
Page 14 |
Aaron Cozort
Loyalty is a valuable asset in a relationship, and the Scriptures speak positively about loyalty, especially to God.
Loyalty is valuable for the
short term and eternally.
“Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man” (Proverbs 3:3-4 NKJV). The concept of truth used in this passage is that of faithfulness. The root word is defined as “a primitive root; properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet; morally to be true or certain…” (Strong’s). As a child can rely on the steady strength and support of a parent as a foundation for life, so the son of the writer of Proverbs was exhorted to take mercy and truth and to bind them about himself every day, to add them to his heart, and they would deliver value now and forever.
Love and loyalty are
repaid by the Lord.
“Oh, love the Lord, all you His saints! For the Lord preserves the faithful, And fully repays the proud person” (Psalm 31:23). Some argue that God presents Himself as one Who shows favoritism, one who uses the carrot and stick approach to humanity to convince it to obey Him. This is simply false. God shows no arbitrary partiality. Indeed, He sends his rain and sunshine on the faithful and on those who forsake Him. Yet, He makes promises to His children that are not born out of arbitrariness but instead out of a relationship. As a result of a relationship with the Lord, His children are granted repayment for their loyalty, love and faithfulness. God prepares a place for them, guides and protects them, and serves them while assuring them of an eternal home with Him (cf. Psalm 23; John 14:1-15).
Loyalty is expected
and required.
“Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:1-2). When it comes to our relationship with God, loyalty is not considered an added bonus. Like with a marriage, loyalty is a requirement. A spouse who has loyalty to others instead of to one’s own spouse will quickly destroy any good marriage. A Christian who has loyalty to anyone above the Lord will destroy that relationship as well. Jesus would say, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24).
Loyalty is an important part of the Christian’s daily life and his or her covenant relationship with God. This has been true for God’s people throughout all of history, and it has not changed today. Some questions to consider are: “How loyal are you to God?” “Do you demonstrate that loyalty through your daily choices and actions?” “If you were only as loyal to your spouse as you are to God, would your spouse claim you are loyal?”
