Wow, talk about a lost virtue! To be loyal is to be faithful, giving, showing firm and constant support, or allegiance to a person or institution. We live in a society where “me” always comes first. I will be loyal as long as you meet my needs. When something or someone comes along that I like better, or that piques my interest, I’m gone. This is the world we live in now. It happens in marriage, in business, in church, and yes, in friendship.
As we look into God’s word we will find that it has much to say about being loyal to a friend.
Proverbs 17:17 “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
I covered this verse in another devotion on friendship, but it needs to be repeated because most don’t love at all times. Even in Christian circles, most abandon their wounded. The minute someone has done something terribly wrong people begin to gossip, instead of praying. Many say they will pray, but most do more talking to others than they do to God. Real friendship loves you enough to stick with you through the storm. A good friend brings an umbrella, so you can shelter together. Loyalty is unwavering in good times and in bad times!
When you are loyal your actions will back up what you say. In Matthew 26:33-35, Peter vehemently tells Jesus he will never deny him.
Matthew 26:33-35 “Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.”
When I was growing up a familiar phrase was “your actions speak louder than your words.” Peter proved this in response to the former verses. In a few short hours, before a different audience, this is what he said.
Matthew 26:69-75 “Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also was with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech betrayed thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.”
The good part of this narrative is that Peter recognized his betrayal and repented. He became one of the greatest disciples of Christ, and thousands became followers of Christ because of Him.
Loyalty is also not reluctant. There is never a doubt or question in their mind about their “sticking” with you. They are in your corner for the long haul. This does not mean they will support bad decisions. There may be times they disagree with you, but even then, there is no question of their allegiance. They are steadfast and unmovable. They show love in action.
I Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”
Loyalty may take sacrifice on your behalf for your friend. Ruth left her family and homeland to be loyal to her mother-in-law Naomi. While her sister-in-law, Orpah, turned back and returned to her family, Ruth stayed the course.
Ruth 1:16 “And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:”
Loyalty can be demanding and exhausting sometimes. It can challenge a relationship, but real friendship will hang in there, and not forsake the one they call their friend.
Our greatest example, as always, is Jesus.
Hebrews 13:5b “for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
When we are loyal to God in all things, it will make it easy to be loyal to your friends!
