LOYALTY AND FAITHFULNESS

By Sam Mills

Loyalty and faithfulness are wonderful qualities. According to "Webster's New World Dictionary" the meaning of loyalty includes allegiance, faithfulness, fidelity, trustworthiness, integrity, honesty, reliability, truthfulness and more.

God Places Great Importance on Loyalty

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man" (Prov 3:3-4).

True loyalty springs from the heart and is wrapped in love. It is often in our most private moments that true loyalty, or the lack of it is made known.

Loyalty and Faithfulness to One's Country

Being loyal and faithful to one's country is absolutely essential. After World War II our country was filled with celebration, patriotism, loyalty and thankfulness.

Many loyal men and women paid with their lives to prevent our country from being overtaken by our brutal enemy. If the enemy had succeeded, our way of life such as we know it would have never happened.

Employers and Employees

I once worked for a company that had imprinted on each paycheck the words: "Speak well of your company you are a Part of it." It was absolutely true. I have worked for a number of corporations since then, but have never forgotten those words.

I believe each company has the right to expect loyalty and faithfulness from their employees and the employees should be able to expect the same.

Marriage and Dating

During these stressful times we need to do everything possible to maintain confidence and trust in our relationships. Confidence and trust is established through ones acts of loyalty. Loyalty and being faithful are essential to a happy marriage.

Unfaithful acts such as adultery or cheating in finances can be devastating. Even seemingly small acts such as flirtation or discussing private or intimate things with others concerning one's mate can be very damaging.

What at first may have appeared to go unnoticed or unchallenged may in the end destroy the wonderful warm feelings of confidence and trust that once was theirs.

Friends

We all need true unshakable friends in our lives. The greatest evidence of true friendship is loyalty. A loyal friend will be by your side through good times and bad, and will always represent your best interest.

Do you stick up for a friend when you hear someone telling something you know to be untrue, or trying to destroy his/her good name? Are you trustworthy in all your interactions with them? If so, you are a loyal friend and she/he is truly blessed.

Broken Trust is Difficult to Regain

Being loyal and faithful to others are acts of love and instantly recognized as such. There is a quotation that goes something like this: "Your actions speak so loudly I can't hear what you are saying." This is true in all areas of our lives. It is very difficult to convince someone you are loyal when your actions indicate otherwise.

The Rewards

It is emotionally and spiritually healthy to form the habit of doing only the things that make us feel good about ourselves. These qualities can be developed by prayer and cultivation, and are worth every effort.

Being loyal and faithful toward God and our fellow man bring about inner feelings of strength and confidence. In return we will be rewarded with the trust and confidence from others that was first earned by our loyalty and faithfulness to them.