THE LAW OF LOYALTY
Titus 3:1-8
Loyalty speaks of faithfulness, devotion, allegiance, trustworthiness to a person or a course. Being loyal is deep and rare to find these days. Having people stick close through thick and thin is fast becoming scarce. It takes a level of relationship with God to truly be faithful/loyal to a course. It is a law of nature that, loyalty is never loyalty until tested in the fire of commitment even if it’s at the point of death! Who is a friend? It is that person that is committed and sticking close even when the situation stinks.
Remind the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand. No insults, no fights. God’s people should be bighearted and courteous. Titus 3:1 (MSG)
Titus spoke in his book on loyalty to authorities and rulers set in place to create balance in systems [Government and Other places of earthly authorities]. A country with loyal citizens both in leadership and followership would grow faster and be healthy. Are you loyal to your government and the establishments you render services to as a person?
In Psalm 78, David spoke extensively about loyalty to God. True loyalty to God and His kingdom is the beginning of true loyalty. Some, serve in establishments [religious or secular] and their heart and spirit is not there. God sees the heart, man sees the physical or outward appearances. Don’t fail in the courts of heaven when your heart and spirit’s commitment to obeying God’s word is presented for divine assessment. Don’t be a cheat to anyone! Be a straight forward person…it pays at the end.
Loyalty is good capital. It matters in all facets of life. How loyal are you to your spiritual leaders? What about your church? You belong to a local assembly. How do you handle affairs committed to your hands? Loyalty also matters in the place of work, politics and business. At home, are you loyal to your spouse and children? When you are loyal to a person, cause, business or relationship, you prioritise whatever affects the object of your loyalty. You stay true to them no matter what. You keep confidences. You can be counted upon. A disloyal person cannot be trusted.
Loyalty counts when decision for lifting comes up. Lack of it can be disastrous. Check the life of Joab. He was a fine warrior, veteran of many battles and victories in the army of David. But he was not a loyal officer. David would issue instructions, Joab would do what he liked. He would counter David’s commands. He even went as far as supporting a coup against David and Solomon. It was no wonder that when David was about to die, the instruction to Solomon was that Joab should be killed.
Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet. Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoary head go down to the grave in peace. 1Kings 2:5-6.
REFLECTION: Loyalty is the matter of the matter.
