From the Elder's Pen "Loyalty" 3/23/03 Past/Future Articles

What is Loyalty?
? It is the couple taking care of each other after 50 years of marriage
? It is feeding and bathing an aging parent with Alzheimer’s.
? It is a mother mailing her weekly letter to a son in prison.

What is Loyalty?
? It is a 96 year old widow with rheumatism showing up for Bible class on a cold, drizzly morning.
? It is praying every day for our elders.
? It is keeping the support going strong for our missionaries.

What is Loyalty?
? It is talking the church up, and not down.
? It is refusing to gossip or complain.
? It is being careful not to bring reproach on the cause of Christ.

What is Loyalty?
? It is attending every worship time appointed by the elders.
? It is hanging in there when others have long since given up.
? It is resisting temptation when it would be so easy to give in.
? It is doing what needs to be done even if no one but God notices.

What is Loyalty?
? It is Jesus going to the cross because it was the Father’s will.
? It is Jesus loving His disciples “to the end” (John 13:1).
? It is Jesus refusing to give up on Peter, who had denied Him, by telling him, “Feed my sheep. (John 21:15-17).

What is Loyalty?
? It is obedience to the Master who laid down His life for us.
? It is holding on to His body, the church, in spite of hurts caused by our fellow members.
? It is holding firmly to the truth in spite of attacks by unbelievers and defections by the unfaithful.

That is Loyalty!