Hebrews 3:1-6 KJV — Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; [2] who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
[3] For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. [4] For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.
[5] And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; [6] but Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
We want to still continue in our discussion on loyalty as we meditate on the events of this Holy week.
1. Loyalty is a choice and not a weakness:
Don’t take anybody’s loyalty for granted; even the most loyal person has a limit. Most of us may learn this truth the hard way most of us interpret other’s loyalty as dependence and tend to think that they have nowhere to go. Please, kindly remember that everybody has many options than it appears to you. Learn to value the loyalty of others toward you.
2. Loyalty is reciprocal
God doesn’t chase, nor beg, nor prevent; He despises those who despise Him; and honours those who honour Him! For want of a better word, God does not take nonsense! He is gracious, loving, and long-suffering but He will not forever forbear!
In 1 Samuel 2:30, this is what He said before passing judgement on the house of Eli: Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.
When we learn to be loyal to God and His church, He will highly esteem us; if we choose to despise Him, He will lightly esteem us! Remember that the church is the body of Christ; we are the temple of God; God will destroy anyone who destroys His temple.
Note 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NLT — Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? [17] God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. You may get away for a season but God will not forbear forever!
3. Loyalty is towards the higher authority:
In case you are in doubt, remember your loyalty is always to the higher authority. The Bible talks about a man Uriah, whom king David murdered in cold blood; he (Uriah) was a very loyal soldier and was very loyal to the King and his service. Though Uriah was very loyal to King David and the Lord’s army; the king betrayed his trust and the king paid dearly. Always remember that loyalty is to the higher authority; it is a mistake to obey your branch pastor against the word of the lead pastor; you can’t be loyal to your music director and disrespect your pastor, and still expect God to bless you!
4. Loyalty demands full persuasion:
Your loyalty will be compromised if you are not fully persuaded. You ought to be fully persuaded, if you really intend to be loyal. Our father, Abraham was loyal to the end because he was fully persuaded.
Romans 4:19-21 KJV — And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: [20] he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; [21] and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
Apostle Paul also wrote to Timothy, even in the face of eminent death, saying, in 2 Timothy 1:12-14 KJV — For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
[13] Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. [14] That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. May the Lord give you grace to become fully persuaded!
5. Loyalty requires full understanding!
John the Baptist nearly slipped because he didn’t understand the role of the Messiah fully. Whereas he taught the Messiah was a political and military leader; the Lord Jesus Christ had come as our kinsman, redeemer, baptizer, and soon coming king. What saved John the Baptist, was the wisdom of sending his disciples to seek for clarification from the Lord. I pray that you will always seek clarification when you are in doubt!
Read Luke 7:19-23 KJV — And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? [20] When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
[21] And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. [22] Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. [23] And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
6. Loyalty requires that you know your purpose:
John the Baptist did not compete with any man because he understood his purpose. Many people fight and fail because they don’t pay attention to their purpose. Read John 1:19-23 KJV — And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? [20] And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.
[21] And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. [22] Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? [23] He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
Stay blessed
