The Challenge Of Loyalty

In 2015, I watched the screening of the former governor of Lagos state, Mr. Babatude Fashola, by the then Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. When asked about his definition of loyalty Fashola gave a response that many acknowledged to be smart. While responding, he said that he always prays for his loyalty not to be tested. Though I view this mention of prayer as just a filler, I would like to assert that the test of loyalty is not something one could wish away or avoid.

Loyalty is defined as a strong feeling of support or allegiance. It is taking a strong and public stand in support of a cause or a person. I understand that many folks have done stupid things in the name of defending a cause they are loyal to (and we all frown at such behaviors) but taking a stand on something is always better than standing for nothing. Modern society is generally promoting and encouraging disloyalty because loyalty demands accountability, submission, self-denial, and humility, all of which the world is making less fashionable.

But loyalty is a great virtue. One which you must learn and practice even when it does not make so much sense to you. In early 2015, I was extremely concerned about Christian beliefs. A lot of things simply did not make sense to me. During that period, I read a place in the bible that changed everything. It was a story that revealed the depth of the disciples' loyalty to Jesus. A story that taught me what it really means to be loyal to Jesus especially when our scientific mind could no longer cope.

Jesus said, 'Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me, and I in him.' (John 6:56). This statement sounded like cannibalism to Jesus' listeners, it made no sense to them at all and it was the direct opposite of what they would expect from a preacher. The story continued: 'On hearing it, many of His disciples said, 'This is a difficult teaching. Who can accept it?' And from that time on many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him. So Jesus asked the Twelve, 'Do you want to leave too?''. Jesus wanted to know if the twelve breaking points had been reached.

Oh, how many churches have been opened because people were too arrogant to submit. How many people have left the faith because things were no longer making sense to them? But Peter replied Jesus, 'Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that You are the Holy One of God.'' (John 6:66-67) How transforming these words were to me. How challenging it is to hear such words from someone who doesn't even understand what exactly Jesus was saying. How inspiring!

How foolish some people boast for not giving a damn what the authorities over them think about them. How bad to be too proud to submit. Some think they have become too old to listen to their parents, too feminist to submit to their husband, too wise to obey their pastor, too loaded not to be given the pulpit, too learned to care about God's opinion, too beautiful to respect anyone, too intelligent to humble themselves. These are the things that destroy people. Lack of submission when the Spirit of God wants you to submit can give you a temporal 'success' but a permanent downfall.

Be loyal to those God has placed above you. Every time presents an opportunity to show them that you're loyal to them even as they are loyal to God. Loyalty remains a virtue worth having. When your loyalty is tested, may you not be found wanting by the Spirit of God. Stand for something, submit to someone. And in all your loyalty and submission, be loyal and submissive to Jesus Christ and his gospel.