Stewarding Loyalty - Stewardship Series
Stewarding Loyalty
“The next day after John (the Baptist) stood with two of his disciples; and looking upon Jesus as he walked, he said, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus”. (John 1:35-37)
Websters Dictionary defines loyalty: “to be faithful to an oath or obligation, to join an allegiance and remain devoted to it”. Loyalty is a great characteristic of Christianity. Every Christian should identify with Christ through loyalty.
In the reference above we have an example of Christian loyalty. John the Baptist was sent from God and understandably had committed followers. But we see something important from this reference. When John identified Jesus as the Lamb of God these Baptist converts immediately and without apology left John’s camp. They were not being disloyal to John - he was only a part of God’s great plan too. No, they were staying on course; continuing their allegiance and advance toward the Kingdom of God.
There was no hint of jealously or envy in John’s soul. He showed no propensity to overtly protect God’s flock. He did not hold his disciples back. In some circles loyalty has moved off-center because of jealously. A Christian’s loyalty is always to be to the Lord; not a denomination, not a manipulative group or controling individuals. Jesus paid the debt of your sins, you must maintain a loyalty to Him without compromise or sympathy.
I don’t mean to imply we should not be faithful to a church. Nor do I suggest we should not appreciate denominational oversight. On the contrary, we should respect churches, denominations and all sound doctrine. Christians are commanded to submit to all authority; church and civil authority. More so, we are commanded to be “subject one to another”. (1 Pet 5:5)
However, there is a perversion of loyalty in some circles of influence. Instead of “submitting as unto the Lord”, many demand loyalty to groups, fellowships or an organization instead of the Lord. Some are taught that God designed the Body of Christ to function exclusively through a chain of commanders since we are illustrated as a body that is subject to others body parts. While there is a truth in that the notions soons leads to error because every member is subject to the Head who is Christ. Dear God, the central feature of the NT is a personal relationship with Christ the head and a promise of intimate, personal direction from the Lord. To deny anyone of that is sin.
How often do we see Christians shunned after it is learned they attended another church or Bible study outside their control in search of a deeper understanding of God? How often do we see denominational leaders stress a loyalty to the denomination instead of Christ? Christians, when you let others reduce loyalty to manipulation, dominance and control freaks you become an active hindrance to spiritual growth too. Healthy Christian directors are identified by their eagerness to see membes freed from evil influences.
“For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” (Mat 10:35-37)
It is not easy to separate or be seperated from friends and family to move on with Christ but God requires it. (Luke 9:57-62) It takes courage to “go on unto perfection” (Heb 6:1-2) as the scriptures encourage. The first Christians were Israelites under a strict religious system. They soon understood the cost to follow Jesus meant they would be outcasts. Any Jew who admitted they believed in Jesus was cast out of the synagogues. (John 9:22) Their relationships, sympathies and social status were ripped apart. However, forsaking unhealthy ties although always unpleasant has a purpose and a great outcome. Those who do want God will adjust and renew their loyalty to God.
Jesus initially separated from family and friends. They joined His allegiance later but at the first He suffered as an outcast from His own family for a season.
“And when his family heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself… There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him. And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother”. (Mark 3:21, 32-35)
Jesus’ family - including His mother the Virgin Mary - had difficulty accepting it when He broke away from the norm. His response was cool, calculated and unsympathic. It is consistent with what He requires of us. Jesus required even His mother to become loyal to God’s Will not her will or the will of others. Coming to hear God’s Word is doing God’s Will. Hearing it leads to believing it.
“Labor not for the meat which perishes but for that meat which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. Then said they unto him: What shall we do that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” (John 6:27-29)
God’s Word says “be ye separate”. (2 Cor 6:17) We have to cut away from unhealthy ties that are resistant to God’s will. Even when they are fellow Christians or if they are sincere relationships unknowingly resisting God’s will. Every Christian has to decide who they will center their loyally on.
“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve;… but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (Josh 24:15)
Christians, let your loyalty be centered on God’s Will. (Acts 4:13-21) Like the apostles, sometimes others will take the initiative against your loyalty to God. To encourage us in those times Jesus said this.
“Blessed are you, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.” (Luke 6:22)
Christian leaders do have an obligation to “protect the sheep from wolves” but sometimes this is a shroud for controlling spirits. When the church is off center God sends a servant. He does not usually send a committee of men. God’s message does not need to be filtered it need to be considered. The idea that before you can voice a message from God to His people you must “join our program and commit to us” virtually guarantees the message will be compromised. That is not loyalty. It borders on lunacy. Concerning loyalty to God we need to embrace the fullness not strike a “balance”.
Meat of the Word Ministries
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