THE GOOD NEWS COMES CLOSER

Joshua 24:1-2, 14-18

Ephesians 6:10-20

John 6:56-69

"Choose this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15)

Introduction

Loyalty is a profound and essential virtue that binds us to what we hold dear, whether a person, a cause, or our faith. It is a virtue that underpins our relationships with God, one another, and the institutions that shape our lives. It is a thread that binds us in trust, commitment, and faithfulness. In our journey as Christians, loyalty is not merely a passive state of being; it is an active, intentional commitment that reflects our devotion to God. The Scriptures above would guide us through the multifaceted nature of loyalty—from the resolve to serve God alone in Joshua, to the call for spiritual strength in Ephesians, and the test of loyalty in the Gospel of John.

The Choice of Loyalty

The passage from Joshua presents a pivotal moment for the people of Israel. After leading them into the Promised Land, Joshua challenges them to renew their commitment to God. He reminded the people of Israel of the things that God has done even when they served other gods (Joshua 24:2). He says to them, “Choose this day whom you will serve,” and then he declares his own unwavering loyalty: “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

Here, we see that loyalty begins with a choice. The Israelites had seen God’s mighty works—He had delivered them from Egypt, sustained them in the wilderness, and given them victory in Canaan. Despite this, they were tempted by the gods of the surrounding nations. Joshua’s challenge was a reminder that loyalty to God requires a deliberate, conscious decision.

Loyalty to God demands that we prioritize Him above all else. In a world filled with distractions and competing allegiances - whether it be the pursuit of wealth, power, fame, or personal gratification, we must constantly reaffirm our commitment to God. This loyalty is not just about religious observance but about living a life that reflects God's commandments and values. Like Joshua, we must declare our allegiance and choose, day by day, to serve the Lord.

Precious one, loyalty to God manifests in how we raise our children, how we treat our spouses, and how we manage our household. A family that prays together and lives out their faith demonstrates a loyalty that can weather the storms of life. Just as Joshua led his family in serving the Lord, we too are called to lead our families in faithful devotion to God. I say to you, Choose this day to be loyal - It is your choice to make.

The Armor of Loyalty

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, speaks about the spiritual armor that we must wear to stand firm against the forces of evil. He writes, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11). While this passage primarily addresses spiritual warfare, it also has implications for our everyday lives, including our work.

Loyalty to God is not just a matter of the heart but also of action. It requires us to be spiritually equipped. Paul describes the various pieces of armor: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. These are not just metaphors; they represent the practical ways in which we can maintain our loyalty to God.

Loyalty is about integrity, dedication, and faithfulness to our responsibilities. It is about doing our jobs well, even when no one is watching, and being trustworthy and faithful stewards in our dealings with friends, colleagues, customers, and employers.

An employee who remains committed to their work even when opportunities for dishonesty or cutting corners arise. Such a person exemplifies loyalty by maintaining integrity, even when it is difficult. In contrast, disloyalty in the workplace—such as gossiping, slacking off, or stealing time—undermines the trust that is essential for a healthy work environment.

In a world that often challenges our faith, the armor of God protects us and empowers us to stay true to our commitment. The truth keeps us from being deceived, righteousness guards our hearts, faith extinguishes the fiery darts of doubt, and the Word of God guides our every step. When we are fully armored, our loyalty to God is unshakeable, even in the face of adversity.

Loyalty Test

The Gospel reading from John presents a moment of crisis in Jesus’ ministry which became the litmus test of the people's loyalty. After teaching about the necessity of eating His flesh and drinking His blood—a teaching that was difficult for many to accept—many of His disciples turned back and no longer wanted to follow Him.

Jesus asked the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:67-68).

Loyalty is often tested in the face of difficult teachings or challenging circumstances. When the path of discipleship becomes hard to understand or follow, we might be tempted to walk away. However, true loyalty is revealed in these moments. Like Peter, we must recognize that there is no other option, no better alternative than to remain with Jesus Christ, who alone has the words of eternal life.

The test of loyalty is not just about enduring hardship but also about holding fast to the truth, even when it challenges our understanding or offends our sensibilities. In these moments, our loyalty to Christ must be rooted in trust—trusting that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

On social media, there is this loyalty test prank where people call their partners and ask them to mention their names to request a song or to receive a present. I have observed that many of them usually mention other people's names instead of the person placing the call ending up in tears and heartbreaks. My question, beloved, 'Will God's heart be broken if He places a loyalty test on you?'

Loyalty is about Dedicated Service to the Church

Our loyalty to the Church is a crucial aspect of our spiritual life. In the Gospel, we see a moment of crisis among Jesus' disciples. Many are troubled by His teachings and choose to leave, but Peter, speaking for the Twelve, affirms their loyalty: "Lord, to whom shall we go?"

Loyalty to the Church means remaining faithful to Christ's teachings and directions, even when they are difficult to understand or when the Church faces challenges. It is about being part of a community that worships, serves, and grows together in faith. Never ever stab the Church in the back only to bring God's name to disrepute but support, pray, and help reform to the path of God if need be.

In the church, your loyalty must be seen in service despite personal difficulties or defend the church's mission in the face of criticism. Loyalty to the church also means being present—both physically and spiritually—supporting its leaders, and participating in its sacraments and activities.

Loyalty is about Commitment to Growth and Integrity

As students, loyalty involves commitment to learning, respect for teachers, and integrity in academic work. It is about being faithful to the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom, recognizing that education is not just about grades, but about forming character. The Presbyterian model of education - training the head, hands, and the heart.

Loyalty is crying out for a student who refuses to cheat on an exam, even when others around them are doing so. It is a choice, take a stand now; loyalty to one's own values and to the educational institution. Christian students understand that true success is built on honesty and hard work, not shortcuts.

Loyalty is about the Politics of Service with Integrity

Finally, loyalty in politics and public life is about serving with integrity and a commitment to the common good. It means being loyal to the principles of justice, fairness, and the well-being of the people, rather than to personal gain or party interests.

Those who remain true to their campaign promises, undefiled with corruption, and work tirelessly for their nation and constituents, even when it is politically inconvenient, exemplify loyalty.

Conclusion

Loyalty to God is a central theme in the life of a believer. It is a choice we make daily, a commitment that requires spiritual preparation, and a resolve that is often tested. From Joshua’s call to serve the Lord with the family, to Paul’s exhortation to put on the whole armor of God, and to Peter’s declaration of faith, we are reminded that loyalty is not passive—it is an active, enduring commitment to God.

Let us, therefore, choose to serve the Lord with all our hearts, equipping ourselves with His truth and righteousness, and standing firm in our faith, even when the way is difficult. May our loyalty to God be unwavering, and may it be a testimony to the world of the steadfast love and faithfulness of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Shalom aleikhem...