Question 1

Why is loyalty important?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 25:10The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.Loyalty is important in relationships because it is essential to integrity and trust. Loyalty and love go hand in hand. Without loyalty, people become dispensable. God’s loyalty cannot be shaken, but if we ignore or reject his commands, he cannot guide and care for us as he would like. Our loyalty to God allows us to experience the full benefits of his loyalty to us.Psalm 31:23The Lord protects those who are loyal to him, but he harshly punishes the arrogant.Loyalty is important because God watches over his loyal followers.Ruth 1:14-16They wept together, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye. But Ruth clung tightly to Naomi. “Look,” Naomi said to her, “your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. You should do the same.” But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.”Loyalty is important because it is a mark of true friendship.John 14:15“If you love me, obey my commandments.”1 Corinthians 13:7Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.Loyalty is important because it is love in action.

Question 2

What is a loyal person like?

Accepted Answer

Proverbs 11:3Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people.A loyal person is trustworthy and honest.Proverbs 17:17A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.A loyal person is a true friend.

Question 3

What are the benefits of loyalty?

Accepted Answer

Ruth 1:14-16They wept together, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye. But Ruth clung tightly to Naomi. “Look,” Naomi said to her, “your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. You should do the same.” But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.”Loyalty is a way to value the people God has brought into our lives, and it may open the door to other blessings. Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi not only comforted them both, but it also brought Ruth to faith and into a marriage that began the family line of David and the Messiah.1 Samuel 18:1-4After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king’s son. There was an immediate bond between them, for Jonathan loved David. From that day on Saul kept David with him and wouldn’t let him return home. And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself. Jonathan sealed the pact by taking off his robe and giving it to David, together with his tunic, sword, bow, and belt.1 Samuel 19:6-7Saul listened to Jonathan and vowed, “As surely as the Lord lives, David will not be killed.” Afterward Jonathan called David and told him what had happened. Then he brought David to Saul, and David served in the court as before.Loyalty brings the satisfaction of commitment to a relationship and may also bring practical benefits such as protection and care for our welfare. Jonathan’s loyalty to David was instrumental in saving David’s life on more than one occasion.Acts 15:37-38Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work.Loyalty can keep a relationship alive so that we can help restore a friend who has failed. Barnabas’s persistent loyalty to John Mark gave John Mark another opportunity to prove himself—and he did (see Colossians 4:10).

Question 4

What are the limits to loyalty?

Accepted Answer

Luke 16:13“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”Loyalty is undeviating commitment. If we claim loyalty to God, we cannot also claim loyalty to anything that takes priority over God.1 Corinthians 1:10-13Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. For some members of Chloe’s household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters. Some of you are saying, “I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter,” or “I follow only Christ.” Has Christ been divided into factions? . . . Of course not!No matter how charismatic or powerful an individual church leader may be, we must remember our ultimate loyalty is to Jesus alone.1 Corinthians 15:58So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.Philippians 1:20-23I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me.Our loyalty to Jesus should know no limit.