Topical Bible: Loyalty: Disloyalty

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Loyalty in the Bible

Loyalty is a central theme in the Bible, often depicted as faithfulness and steadfastness to God, His commandments, and His people. The Hebrew word for loyalty, "chesed," is frequently translated as "lovingkindness" or "steadfast love," emphasizing a covenantal faithfulness that reflects God's own nature. In the New Testament, loyalty is often expressed through the Greek word "pistis," meaning faith or faithfulness.

One of the most profound examples of loyalty is found in the relationship between Ruth and Naomi. Ruth's declaration to Naomi, "Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God" (Ruth 1:16), exemplifies unwavering loyalty and commitment. Ruth's loyalty is rewarded by God, as she becomes an ancestor of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ.

Loyalty to God is paramount, as seen in the Shema, a central declaration of faith in Judaism: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength" (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). This commandment underscores the importance of exclusive devotion and loyalty to God.

In the New Testament, Jesus emphasizes loyalty to Him as a requirement for discipleship. He states, "Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me" (Matthew 16:24). This call to loyalty involves a willingness to forsake all else for the sake of Christ.

Disloyalty in the Bible

Disloyalty, on the other hand, is portrayed as a grave sin with serious consequences. It is often associated with betrayal, infidelity, and a lack of faithfulness to God and His covenant. The Bible provides numerous examples of disloyalty, both in human relationships and in the relationship between humanity and God.

One of the most infamous acts of disloyalty is Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus. Despite being one of the twelve disciples, Judas's disloyalty is revealed when he agrees to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16). His betrayal leads to Jesus's arrest and crucifixion, highlighting the devastating impact of disloyalty.

In the Old Testament, the Israelites frequently demonstrate disloyalty to God by turning to idolatry and forsaking His commandments. The prophet Hosea uses the metaphor of marital unfaithfulness to describe Israel's disloyalty: "The LORD said to me, 'Go, show love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods'" (Hosea 3:1). This imagery underscores the pain and betrayal God experiences due to Israel's disloyalty.

King Saul's disobedience to God's command is another example of disloyalty. When Saul fails to completely destroy the Amalekites as instructed, the prophet Samuel confronts him, saying, "Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king" (1 Samuel 15:23). Saul's disloyalty results in the loss of his kingdom and God's favor.

The Bible warns against the dangers of disloyalty and calls believers to remain faithful. In the book of James, believers are admonished, "You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God" (James 4:4). This passage highlights the importance of maintaining loyalty to God above all else.

Conclusion

Loyalty and disloyalty are recurring themes throughout the Bible, illustrating the importance of faithfulness to God and His commandments. While loyalty is rewarded with blessings and favor, disloyalty leads to separation from God and His promises. The biblical narrative consistently calls believers to a life of steadfast loyalty, reflecting the unwavering faithfulness of God Himself.

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2 Peter 2:10
But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
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Library

How Much is the Bible Worth?
... but the fact remains that the only interest of this Book in the individuals and
the races which it brings before us is in their loyalty or disloyalty to that ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter xiii how much is.htm

Progress (Preached Before the Queen at Clifden, June 3, 1866. )
... nation had lost its primaeval freedom, and the courage and loyalty which freedom ...
to fall to pieces at Solomon's death, by selfishness, disloyalty, and civil war ...
/.../the water of life and other sermons/sermon xii progress preached before.htm

A Successful Man of Affairs.
... 133.) In the thought of the prophetic narrative, was Joseph's fiscal system regarded
as evidence of his loyalty to his master rather than of disloyalty to the ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study vii a successful man.htm

Who is the Greatest?
... A refusal to pay the tribute would be regarded as disloyalty to the temple ... Peter
saw in the collector's question an insinuation touching Christ's loyalty to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 48 who is the.htm

The Foundations of Good Citizenship.
... Disloyalty to Jehovah was treason, and even the mild code found in the book of
Deuteronomy directs that apostasy be punished by public stoning. Loyalty to God ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study x the foundations of.htm

The Daily Walk with Others (iii. ).
... himself.". LOYALTY. Our Lecturer avowedly spoke not as a spiritual but as a
legal counsellor. ... GRAVE POSSIBLE TEMPTATIONS TO DISLOYALTY. But ...
/.../moule/to my younger brethren/chapter vi the daily walk.htm

Peter's Denial. Ch. 22:54-62
... of all when he feels, as Peter probably felt, that confessed loyalty to Christ ...
repentance has been felt in realizing the pain which the disloyalty has brought ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/e peters denial ch 22 54-62.htm

Carmel
... Not one in that vast assembly dare reveal loyalty to Jehovah. ... The Lord abhors
indifference and disloyalty in a time of crisis in His work. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 11 carmel.htm

The Preface to the Commandments
... his coffer. No wonder the Pope takes men off their loyalty to kings and
princes, when he teaches them disloyalty to God. Some of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/1 3 the preface to the.htm

Jesus the Scapegoat.
... following, instead of endangering us and bringing suspicion on our loyalty to Rome,
is ... he would cleanse the nation of all complicity in His disloyalty and stay ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/xxiv jesus the scapegoat.htm