Loyalty to God by W.

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Sep 10, 1912

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 39, No. 35.

Loyalty to God

By W.

IF there is one thing more than another which is demanded in this day of changing opinions and tottering thrones, it is loyalty. We do not mean loyalty to a mere party, or sect, or government, however corrupt or wrong that party or sect or government may be, but loyalty to truth, to principle, to God, instead of adherence to mere men.

This is a day of man-worship; a day of human exaltation; a day when man will stand by man in a wrong because of some fancied friendship or so-called code of honor between them, instead of standing by the right even at the loss of all friendship. A man becomes involved in questionable transactions with others; he believes that it is wrong—in fact, knows that it is, but a sort of social code of honor declares that it would be a breach of fidelity for him to withdraw from his dishonest associations and dishonorable transactions. When he knows that others are being wronged, deprived of rights or property, swindled, perhaps, by those with whom he is associated, he will not protest to the wrong-doers, and he retains those associations because to his mind it would be a betrayal of trust to divulge the dishonorable dealings of his fellows.

The same practise holds true in great institutions and corporations. Men will see the most flagrantly dishonest practises carried on continually before their very eyes day after day, causing loss to employers or to the institution, but in no way will they protest against or reveal it. They do not believe in “peaching on the boys.” In our legislative bodies, where it would seem that loyalty to country, to oath of office, and to constituents would lead a man to expose every attempt to defraud, he is bound by that same regard for purely selfish friendship, which amounts to disloyalty to country and truth.

Sadder than all other cases, the same cloaking of sin is seen in the church of Christ. Men see and know of evil practises continually repeated, disgraceful in a Christian, dishonoring to God’s work; but they think it would be “mean” to give information to proper authorities respecting such a course, and matters are allowed to go on in this way till the cause of God is disgraced.

What the times demand is unswerving loyalty to God, to truth, to honesty, integrity, and fidelity everywhere, tho one stands alone in its exercise, as did Milton’s Abdiel when Satan rebelled.

Loyalty demands on the part of the workman fidelity to his employer just as long as he employs honorable methods in an honorable business. It demands faithfulness in his time, faithfulness in the doing of his work. David Maydole thought it beneath him to make a poor hammer, and his hammers have become noted. If the employee has as fellow workers those who are unfaithful to their employer, it is his duty to endeavor, privately, to help them to see their evil course. If they will not do this, it is his duty to protest to them vigorously against their unfaithfulness. If they still continue their evil course, it is his duty, his loyal duty, to inform his employer, and to abide the consequences.

It is the duty of the public servant of the people to pursue the same course. Loyalty to country, constituents, and oath of office—to go no farther—demands of every legislator, or other official in the affairs of government, that he should be faithful in the discharge of his own duty, protesting against evil wherever found, even among those who assisted him into office, exposing corruption in methods and practises wherever found. “But such a man would soon be ‘retired’ from office.” Well, so let it be. It is better to be defeated honorably, or die loyal, than to win dishonorable and inglorious success.

It is the duty of the Christian to be loyal to the law of his God above all things else. Loyalty to his fellow men demands it; for he can only truly help his fellow in God’s way, which is ever the way of truth and righteousness. If he sees a brother sin, he should in a proper spirit at a proper time endeavor to win him from it. “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” James 5:19, 20. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Gal. 6:1.

If a brother will not be won, he should be faithfully warned of the evil of his course and its inevitable consequences. But if he will not heed this, his case, for the good of his own soul and for the honor of God’s cause, should be presented before the church of Christ. Loyalty to God demands this, whether that soul be a mere acquaintance or the dearest relative and friend. We can only help our brethren in God’s way; and God’s way never whitewashes sin or cloaks evil.

Loyalty on the part of a minister of Christ demands that he shall be faithful in his ministrations to the people. He is to give them medicine sometimes as well as meat. He is to probe wounds sometimes as well as to dress and soothe them. He is to call sins—even tho they be practised by the most popular members of his church—by the right name, and faithfully warn his flock against them. He may not be considered up to the times. He may be considered an “old fogy,” or at least “old fogyish,” but that to him is incidental. Loyalty to God, whose servant, whose ambassador, he is, demands faithfulness to duty. The result may seem to be different many times from what he expected; he must leave that with God. His business is to preach the Word. It may lead from old opinions, from hoary traditions; loyalty demands that he shall follow Christ in His truth, in His humiliation, in His integrity and faithfulness, in His mercy and zeal. God will care for the honor and glory. The ministers of Christ should ever say, “But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.” 1 Thess. 2:4.

Loyalty on the part of a Christian journal demands the same unswerving faithfulness to truth.

O, for more of the old-time loyalty manifested in Moses, in Levi (Ex. 32:26-29), in Phinehas (Num. 25:6-13), in Elijah, in all the prophets! God does not ask that we shall execute judgment; that belongs to Him. But He does demand loyalty to Him, loyalty to truth, and separation from sin. There would be with it all a corresponding burden of soul for sinners. W.