I was born with a strong sense of loyalty. I have recently thought about this and how my sense of loyalty may be overdeveloped. I am an extremely loyal person, which makes life difficult in a very disloyal world. If it helps you understand, you can exchange the words faithful and loyal.
I believe loyalty is one of the most under-taught and under-discussed attributes of the Christian life. As a result, we have a prevailing attitude that loyalty does not matter. Loyalty does matter. Through our loyalty, we show our love and devotion to Christ, His Church, friends, and family.
Before Jenna and I married, we decided to find a church we could serve in together. Both of us are pastors’ kids, so sitting was not an option. We wanted to work. We found a church where we fell in love with the pastor and his wife. I am blessed to still see them once a year. The church was not the style that either of us were used to. It was a little more formal than my upbringing. My wife was raised in a large church; this was a good size (200ish) but not large. There was a lot about it that did not fit what we wanted, but we fell in love with the pastors.
For the next three years, we served, supported, loved, and prayed for the shepherd God placed over us. My goal was to be loyal to him, and come hell or high water, we would stand and support them. I learned a lot of lessons under this godly couple.
Paul writes in 2 Cor 7:7 “His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you. When he told us how much you long to see me, and how sorry you are for what happened, and how loyal you are to me, I was filled with joy!” (emphasis mine)
One of the challenges Paul dealt with in the Corinthian church was disloyalty to his leadership. Evidently, this loyalty issue has been around forever. So, is it Biblical to be loyal? Should there be a limit to our loyalty? What if we disregard the loyalty God wants in our lives?
First, Christ is always our example. Think of the loyalty He showed to the Father, to His calling, to His suffering, and His friends. This can also be seen in the Old Testament, as God remains loyal to Israel, even when they are not.
Second, our loyalty should be limited. I do not want anyone to be in a dangerous situation simply because of loyalty. I’ve never told someone who came to me for counsel that they should get a divorce. However, I have told some that they need to leave to protect themselves and their kids. I was loyal to an oil change/car repair shop. Then, they failed to put oil in my vehicle, and the engine blew. That’s not disloyalty; it’s wisdom.
Third, too many Christians believe God changes His mind more than He does. They blow in and out of churches like dust in the wind. Here today and gone tomorrow. There is no loyalty to a body. This is more disappointing than hurtful. When close friends are unfaithful or disloyal, it hurts.
Can I be honest? If you are like me, with an overdeveloped sense of loyalty, prepare yourself. You will be hurt. But that hurt should never cause us to move toward disloyalty or lead us to shut ourselves off from others. Embrace who you are. Be loyal. That’s how God made you.
If you struggle with loyalty, make it a matter of prayer. Ask God to give you a deeper sense of loyalty. Search Scripture for loyal and disloyal traits. What does God say about those situations? Find a church and a pastor, and be loyal. Be a loyal friend. Love when no one else will. Be willing to be vulnerable.
Prov 17:17 “A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.”
Through Time 