“He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.” – Matthew 12:30 (NKJV)
In today’s world, loyalty is often viewed as optional, something that can change with circumstances or convenience. However, Jesus made it clear that there’s no middle ground when it comes to loyalty, especially regarding our relationship and allegiance with Him. We are either with Him or against Him (Matthew 12:30).
The Lord sees our hearts and knows where our loyalties truly lie. However, loyalty to God and others is not just a hidden attitude but a visible commitment that can be seen, felt and recognised. That is why the American Minister and Activist, Martin Luther King Jr. made this statement – “In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” Loyalty is not something that can be hidden.
We demonstrate our loyalty to God through our obedience to His Word – We should not only be hearers of the word, but also doers (John 14:15, James 1:22). Abraham exemplifies for us what it means to demonstrate unwavering loyalty to God through Obedience.
Firstly, Abraham demonstrated unwavering faith in God, holding on to His promise of a son despite his physical circumstances, which seemed impossible (Romans 4:18-22). Moreover, when God instructed him to sacrifice Isaac, the son he had waited 25 years for, Abraham obeyed without hesitation. God, recognizing Abraham’s steadfast loyalty, swore by Himself and pronounced a blessing upon him (Genesis 22:2-18).
Similarly, we show loyalty to God when we remain faithful during trials, persecution, and even in the face of death. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego exemplified this when they chose to be thrown into a fiery furnace rather than bow to King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image.
Their loyalty was not dependent on whether God would deliver them; they boldly declared, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up” (Daniel 3:16-18).
Loyalty also extends to our relationship with people around us; it is evident in how we treat others. Loyalty in friendships and family relationships is seen in our consistent support and love through all seasons of life (Proverbs 17:17). Jonathan showed this sort of loyalty to David. He helped, supported and protected David at great personal risk even when Saul, his father, hated David and sought to kill him (1 Samuel 20).
Dear believer, loyalty is more than an internal feeling; it is a visible and active demonstration of our faithfulness to God and commitment to others. We must remain steadfast in our obedience to God’s word, our stand for God even in persecution and our support for others.
Bible Reading Plan: Romans 9-10