Practical Loyalty
Recently, I preached a sermon entitled “the Christian Virtue of Loyalty.” That sermon was full of theology, for good reason. God’s individual people (believers) are to be loyal to God’s collective people (the church) because God loves the church and has knit the body of Christ together “as it hath pleased him” (1 Cor. 12:18).
However, it is important to include more specific application. One reason is that “loyalty” is not a word that we find in Scripture. Therefore, our description of loyalty must fit what Scripture says. Another reason for including specific application is that loyalty has a “look” in the lives of believers. Some actions are loyal; some actions are disloyal. It’s important to specifically distinguish the two.
Be present when the church gathers
Allegiance to any group involves being with them whenever there is an opportunity. Anyone who doesn’t show up to family Thanksgiving for five years in a row is obviously making a statement about his priorities with his absence. Likewise, the family member that only comes on birthdays and Christmases when there is a promise of attention and gifts shows they love themselves the most.
Gather with your local faith family to show they have priority in your life. Attend gatherings and functions when you have something to contribute, not just when you can get something from the gathering, or when you have a specific responsibility. Loyalty is more than duty.
Do good to the church when you have the opportunity
When Paul admonished the Galatians to “do good unto all men” (6:10), he also ranked the priority of their good deeds. We should do good “especially unto them who are of the household of faith,” he said. Before anyone else (except for our immediate families) we should occupy our time helping God’s people when they have needs.
Treat their needs seriously
While it is always necessary to distinguish need from laziness, we should be willing to directly help with the needs of other believers. Physical needs, grief, overwhelming seasons of life, restoration from sin—all of them can be addressed by believers within the body of Christ. How wonderful would it be if Christians never needed health insurance companies, used secular therapists, or went into the hospital alone? A loyal church member will seek to meet the needs for his fellow saints whenever possible because he has compassion on them.
Obey spiritual authorities
Despite the popularity of Netflix documentaries about Bill Gothard and the buzz around Steven Anderson, people choosing their own way despite warnings, instruction, and counsel from their spiritual elders is the far larger problem. While elders are instructed not to be “lords over God’s heritage” (1 Pet. 5:3), the church is instructed to “obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves” (Heb. 13:17). A believer who behaves in a way that violates the counsel of the spiritually mature men and women in the church is being rebelliously unbiblical and disloyal. Flouting spiritual authority is a sign that a professing Christian has allegiance only to his own opinions.
Exhort younger believers
Older generations being alienated from younger generations has been a point of cultural conflict for well over 100 years. Bridging the generational divide is not easy, but successfully building the bridge creates tremendous loyalty between elders and youngsters. Titus 2:6 instructs the older men to exhort younger men “to be sober minded.” Titus 2:4-5 outlines a more specific syllabus to guide older women as they younger women. Specifically, elder women should instruct young ones in the details of domestic responsibilities. This kind of investment that communicates to the next generation what is truly important is another demonstration of loyalty.
Don’t bind the conscience of others
Sometimes conflict between believers is caused by different opinions on debatable matters. A debatable matter is one that Scripture does not address directly. The classic example from Romans is of eating meat sacrificed to an idol. No doubt believers today have strong opinions about that very issue, but Paul’s conclusion was that one believer ought not manipulate another believer into reaching his own personal conclusion. Godly pastors and wise elders are uniquely placed to distinguish matters of conscience from matters of godliness, and the church should trust their judgment, regardless of personal preference. If we can maintain fellowship with another believer when their preferences differ from ours, we are truly loyal that brother. Likewise, if we divide over preferences, it demonstrates that we saints are loyal to our own opinions over our brother. Do not judge your brother, or think nothing of him for the opinion he holds (Rom. 14:10). Love the brethren, and let God sort out the debatable matters at the judgment seat.
Rebuke privately
Of course, some issues are matters of right and wrong, not matters of opinion. When a fellow saint has genuinely sinned, he should be rebuked. Reproof, even more than praise, is a sign of loyalty (Prov. 25:5-6). Some sins must be dealt in some kind of public form, after the pattern of Matthew 18. However, when possible, we should rebuke our fellow in such a way as to cover and not amplify the transgression (Pr. 17:9). The goal of rebuke should never be to make an example out of the offender, or to signal that the offended person is more virtuous than the offender. In other words, keep quarrels with others off of social media, and deal with people personally. Loyalty seeks to preserve the other as much as possible.
Reconcile
Forgiveness and restoration are indispensable for building and maintaining loyalty. Believers should make every reasonable effort to be at peace among ourselves (1 Thess. 5:13-14). There should be no more eager, thorough reconciliation and restitution than between believers. Again and again the Bible calls bitterness and unforgiveness works of the flesh; we Christians should not hold offenses against each other, but should forgive and love sincerely from the heart.
Take offense slowly and forgive quickly
The contrast between taking offense and forgiving is important here. In our flesh, we take offense quickly and forgive reluctantly. However, for fellow saints more than anyone else, we should have a high tolerance for offense. It should be very difficult to make believers angry at each other. On the other hand, believers should be extremely ready to forgive. This is what loyalty looks like.
Defend, don’t denounce
Gossip and accusation are default behaviors of sinful human nature. There will certainly be occasions in person or on social media to denounce a fellow believer, or to repeat or agree with someone else’s denunciation. Don’t do it. Remember that the spiritual battle only has two sides: the kingdom of God and the kingdom of the devil. One of the tools of Satan is to undermine God’s people with accusations before God and before others. The talebearer or the gossip inadvertently follows the devilish pattern by repeating or introducing accusations that he does not have authority to make. So, make a habit of speaking well and not poorly of the fellow saints, especially before the world. Take care how you speak about those for whom Christ died, especially on social media. Unbelievers or bitter believers will give you the opportunity to accuse each other; they may even demand you do it. Don’t take the bait.
The above article was written by Jonathan Kyser. He is a pastoral assistant at NorthStone Baptist Church in Pensacola, FL. To offer him your feedback, comment below or email us at strengthforlife461@gmail.com.
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