What Does The Bible S
ay?
A weekly column of the Robison Street Church of Christ, 301 Robison Street. Send your questions to P.O. Box 846, Edna, Texas 77957.
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The Cost of Failing to Be Loyal
Last time we noticed how loyalty and love for God must manifest itself in showing loyal love for one another. What happens when we fail to do that for one another?
Showing loyal love for one another requires us to be committed to being people of integrity. It requires us to show loyalty, gratitude, and recognition of one another. It is what holds people together, whether we are talking about families, friends, nations, or any relationship (Ruth 1:16-17; Gen. 24:49; 47:29; 2 Sam. 2:5). There are a lot of ways we can fail to show loyalty to one another, but perhaps the easiest way to is to consider loyalty and love in the context of friendships.
What are your expectations for a friend? Do you want friends who can’t be relied on to stand with you when you are having a difficult time (Prov. 18:24)? What about a friend who can’t be relied on to keep something confidential when it’s necessary (Prov. 11:13)? Do you want a friend who speaks well about you when they are with you but makes fun of you and criticizes you behind your back (Prov. 27:6)? What about a friend who acknowledges your worth and value to your face but when you are away from them, they minimize or take all the credit for your efforts?
For most people, someone who treated us this way wouldn’t be counted as a friend. Someone like this is akin to Judas, who betrayed the trust of the Lord and his fellow disciples (Mark 14:44-45; Luke 22:47-48).
The sad truth is that if we know someone who acts this way and speaks this way about someone else, we know they would do the same thing to us. And if we are the kind of person who is willing to speak badly about someone when they aren’t around, then we will speak badly about anyone when they aren’t around.
These kinds of behaviors show a lack of loyalty and love and shouldn’t be how we treat others. They are a betrayal of the love God has shown in Christ, and they will destroy our trust in one another and our relationships with one another. May God help us to realize the cost of betrayal and strive to be loyal to Him and to others.
– Phillip Stuckey – [email protected]
“Come and see. Come and hear the good news of the Gospel. We meet at the corner of Robison and Church Streets on Sunday at 9:30 AM for Bible classes for all ages and 10:30 AM for worship and again at 6:00 PM for worship. We also meet on Wednesday at 7:00 PM for Bible classes for all ages.”
