by Joseph A. Parrish
Loyalty is always characterized by faithfulness. A brief definition shows that loyalty constitutes:
1. Faithfulness to one's allegiance, as to a government or friends.
2. Faithfulness to one's oath or obligations.
There is so much deceit running rampant these days that sometimes you're not sure just who to trust. Some people are characterized in doing and saying just what is convenient for them. Not caring about the feelings of others, neither realizing that your dishonesty can affect someone else. "Loyalty," where are you at? I am looking for you.
"The Hear to man is deceitful above all things, who can know it."
- JEREMIAH 17:9
Is there anyone in your life that you respect for being a loyal person? That friend who will stick closer than a brother? The word of God says that Jesus is a friend who will stick closer than a brother. Now to me, that's loyalty. When was the last time that someone proved their loyalty and faithfulness to you? How long have you known this person? Where did you two meet? What words besides being loyal, can you use to describe his or her personality? Do you think that you can depend on them all the time? Are you loyal to anything or anyone? I am. I've made a decision to be faithful and loyal to my God, hopefully that will carry over into my relationship with people.
"Love you neighbor as yourself."
- Galatians 5:14, MATT 22:40
God has been loyal to me, and so that is an incentive enough to help me work towards being loyal to my neighbors.
"Therefore putting away lying, let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor."
- EPHESIANS 4:25
Our God is faithful but are we? Do you always speak truly to your neighbor? Are you sometimes dishonest when it's to your benefit? Do you rejoice to benefit from the mistakes of others? Do you sometimes lie and deceive to get your way? Do you even look for occasions to strive at being, and showing loyalty in the affairs of your life? Even when it hurts will you still practice loyalty? As for me, I am currently incarcerated and practicing "loyalty" is, as important now as it has always supposed to be. Since being here I've come to find that within myself I do not have what it takes to practice loyalty on a continuous basis.
I guess you can call me a fair weather friend, as I'm still learning and growing. Who can you trust or who can trust you? How can I establish trust in someone else, if I can't trust myself? "to thine own self be true, be loyal."
Do you have any friends? How do you know they're your friends Do you see eye to eye on similar things? Have you ever lied to that particular person? If so, how did you feel afterwards? Did you go back ho him or her and bare you soul? Did you acknowledge your fault? Did you ask for forgiveness? Was the relationship restored? Are you still friends? Did you receive in return compassion and honesty? We all have our faults of dishonesty. We have that tendency to weave deceit but we must cast this evil virtue down, and practice speaking truly, and dealing truly.
Jesus warned, if your eye causes you sin, pluck it out (MATT 18:9) and ponder the path of your feet (PROVERBS 4:26). To ponder means to "Weight conduct." Before moving in any direction we must consider the nature and consequences of every step we take. If we discipline ourselves we can practice loyalty with ourselves and others. Be the same all the time.
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