Loyalty to Christ

Narrator: Chris Genthree
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National feelings are being stirred again, and many young men are being asked to pledge their loyalty to their country. This brings to one’s mind the need of speaking a word about loyalty to Christ, which, though always of paramount importance, is never more needed than today.
There is a tendency in an evil day, in a day of apostasy and giving up, to say it is useless to try to be faithful, but this is a great mistake. It is just at such a time that faithfulness is most needed. It was in a day when all seemed in ruins that Mordecai refused to bow to Haman the Arnalekite. It was in a similar day that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego refused to bow to the image which Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Come what may—the gallows for Mordecai or the fiery furnace for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego—they were devoted in their loyalty and obedience to Jehovah, the God of Israel.
In turning to the New Testament we find many instances of such faithfulness on the part of the apostles, and then, too, we have the exhortation in Jude, in a day of apostasy, telling us to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Such examples and exhortations encourage our hearts to be faithful —but above all, let us “consider Him (the Lord Jesus Christ) that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your mind.” Hebrews 12:33For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. (Hebrews 12:3). Let us think of Him, the One who was faithful even unto death—who never departed from the path of obedience, cost what it might, and who always found His fullest joy in it. His whole life was a fragrance to God His Father, though He was utterly misunderstood by men. and even by His disciples. Yes, His path of obedience led even unto death—that atoning death has put away our sins and brought us to God. We are now children of God, having the very life of Christ and-the same power (the Holy Spirit) by which He walked down here. We are loved by the same love as He is. What a portion for our hearts. What a call to devotedness and loyalty to Him!
Undoubtedly if we were looking at the “far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” before us, the afflictions of the way would seem light indeed. (2 Cor 4:1717For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; (2 Corinthians 4:17).) We would not find loyalty and devotedness to Him so difficult, but instead it would be a path of joy, as it was to Christ—it was His delight!
As the Lord’s coming draws nearer, dear young people, I believe new and greater obstacles are going to be put in our way. We are going to have to suffer more if we would be loyal to Him, and like Moses we will only he able to endure as we see Him who is invisible. (Hebrews 11:2727By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. (Hebrews 11:27).) Let us lift up our eyes and look beyond the otacles, for faith can remove them, even though they are as high as mountains. (Matt. 17:2020And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. (Matthew 17:20).) Let us look beyond the suffering, beyond the misunderstandings and problems, and think how fully we will be repaid by His smile in that day when. He makes up His jewels. No reward here, no seeming advantage gained in this world by stepping out of the path of loyalty to Christ, can ever repay the sense of His approval in our souls now, and His “well done” then. Dear young people, let us be loyal to Christ no matter what it costs! “I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.” Phil. 3:88Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (Philippians 3:8).
ML 04/29/1951