Loyalty in a Disloyal World

February 17
Loyalty In A Disloyal World by Dr. D. James Kennedy

Then Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you also want to go away?’ Then Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.’ —John 6:67–68

Orson Welles once complained, “When you’re down and out, something always turns up—and it’s usually the noses of your friends.”

How loyal are you to the people in your life?

Loyalty is a noble trait, but often people are more committed to themselves than to anyone or anything else. In view of so many dissolved marriages, you’d almost think the marriage vow states, “Till inconvenience do us part.” Most definitely, loyalty in our time seems rare, as evidenced by the alacrity with which people change friends, jobs, communities, spouses and churches.

Jesus knew the sting of betrayal. One time, after a large crowd abandoned Jesus, refusing to follow Him anymore, He turned to the twelve disciples and asked them if they were going to leave Him too. Peter answered so well for all of us who follow Christ: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

Jesus then lamented that even one of those remaining twelve was a devil (referring to Judas—the ultimate example of disloyalty—who would betray Christ for money).

But the Bible also has some positive examples of loyalty. Consider King Saul’s son Jonathan, who made tremendous sacrifices for David. He even gave up his throne for David’s sake.

Or think of Ruth, who said to her mother-in-law, “Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go…Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.” (Ruth 1:16). What a tremendous testimony of loyalty!

Loyalty is such a rare trait that those who exhibit it distinguish themselves from the rest of the world. I encourage you today to stay loyal and faithful to your spouse, your family, your church, your boss, and your friends. You will reap wonderful benefits for doing so.

And if you need an example of loyalty, look to our Lord and Savior. Jesus Christ has promised that He will never leave us or forsake us.He gave His very life for us. No one is more loyal than Jesus is!

We as believers in Christ have been made aware by the Lord Himself that the world would persecute us. In John 16:33 He said, “In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.”

If we were of the world, the world would embrace us as its own, but we have chosen to live our lives apart from the temporary treasure, the pseudo power, the feigned glory of the world and its allure so we can fully embrace Christ and His eternal gift. Though we may be captured by the evil entity that controls this sphere (see Ephesians 2:1-3), we know we are free because the Word of God assures, “Whom the Son sets free is free indeed,” John 8:36.

As we face peril because of our love for our Savior, will we remain loyal to Him? Will we, like Paul, count all life’s treasures as loss for the sake of knowing Jesus according to Philippians 3:7-9?

Our Lord and Savior and soon-coming King, help us to rely fully upon You in the day of trouble, for of ourselves, we cannot stand fast against the foe that hates us. With you, we are “more than conquerors,” Romans 8:37, and can “do all things through You who strengthen us,” Philippians 4:13.