Loyalty

Loyalty, as a biblical concept, is deeply rooted in the relationship between God and His people, as well as in the relationships among individuals. The Bible presents loyalty as a virtue that reflects faithfulness, steadfastness, and unwavering commitment.

In the Old Testament, loyalty is often depicted in the context of covenant relationships. God's loyalty to Israel is a central theme, as seen in Deuteronomy 7:9 : "Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments." This divine loyalty is mirrored in the expected loyalty of the Israelites to God, as they are called to love and serve Him with all their heart and soul (Deuteronomy 10:12).

The account of Ruth exemplifies personal loyalty. Ruth's commitment to Naomi, her mother-in-law, is a profound example of loyalty to family and faith. Ruth 1:16 records her words: "Do not urge me to leave you or to turn from following you. For wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God."

In the New Testament, loyalty is further emphasized in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus calls for loyalty to God above all else, as seen in Matthew 6:24 : "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." This loyalty to God is also reflected in the call to follow Christ, even at the cost of personal sacrifice (Luke 9:23).

The apostle Paul speaks of loyalty in the context of the Christian community. In 1 Corinthians 4:2 , he writes, "Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful." This faithfulness, or loyalty, is essential for the unity and functioning of the body of Christ.

Division

Division, in the biblical narrative, often arises from disobedience, sin, and the rejection of God's authority. It is portrayed as a consequence of human actions that disrupt the intended harmony and unity among God's people.

The Old Testament provides numerous examples of division resulting from sin. The division of the united kingdom of Israel into the northern and southern kingdoms is a significant event, rooted in Solomon's disobedience and idolatry (1 Kings 11:11-13). This division led to a long history of conflict and strife between the two kingdoms.

In the New Testament, Jesus acknowledges the reality of division as a consequence of His mission. In Matthew 10:34-36 , He states, "Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.'" This division is not the ultimate goal but a byproduct of the radical call to follow Christ, which can create conflict even within families.

The apostle Paul addresses division within the church, urging believers to maintain unity. In 1 Corinthians 1:10 , he appeals, "I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction." Paul emphasizes that division undermines the witness of the church and the message of the gospel.

Throughout Scripture, the tension between loyalty and division is evident. Loyalty to God and His commandments fosters unity and peace, while division often arises from a departure from divine principles. The Bible calls believers to be loyal to God and to one another, striving for unity in the faith and resisting the forces that seek to divide.