THE THREE TESTS OF LOYALTY PART - 1

THE THREE TESTS OF LOYALTY PART -1 

Scripture: Galatians 4:18.

Topic: The Three tests of Loyalty Part - 1. 

For anything to be trusted it must be tested, for anyone to be trusted they must also be subjected to a series of tests. In this series of our quiet time we will examine the three tests of loyalty, we will learn that taking things at face value is dangerous and therefore there are tests we must employ before we can trust anything or anyone. 

"But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I SHALL COME FORTH AS GOLD."
Job 23:10

There are many yellow metals in the world. Which one of them is real gold? I once asked a jeweler in Malaysia, “How would I know whether my wedding ring is made out of real gold or not?” I will never forget what he said: “There are many tests, but the main test is to pass it through fire.” He told me, “All other metals will change color when subjected to fire.” He continued, “Gold is the only metal which will come out shining brighter. It will not change color in any way.” You can never tell the false from the real until you subject it to a test. Many things will test the loyalty and faithfulness of a Christian. When I decided to pursue the ministry instead of medicine, my commitment was tested many times. My commitment to the church has been tested on several occasions. There are three main things that will test everyone’s loyalty: distance, time and fire. If you pass these tests, then your loyalty is real.

1. The Test of Distance
"But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, AND NOT ONLY WHEN I AM PRESENT WITH YOU."
Galatians 4:18

Paul had to exhort a branch of his church in Galatia to remain faithful even though he was not physically present with them. Many people do not work efficiently unless the manager is physically present. Because of this, many businesses cannot expand. Can the Boss Be Everywhere? If you are working under someone, your loyalty will be tested by distance. As they say, “out of sight, out of mind”. It is important for you to be faithful even when your leader is away from you. People who have passed this test are the ones who are truly faithful. The ministry of Lighthouse Chapel International now spans five continents: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and Australia. How on earth could I be present everywhere? The only way for a large network to continue expanding is for people to be faithful whether the leader is present or not.
In some churches, the pastor just has to turn his head and a sarcastic comment will be made. You must not only say nice things when a person is present with you. You must say nice things about him even when he is away. It is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing and especially when your leader is not present with you. I can tell whether people are loyal to me or not by what they say about me when I am not present.

"It is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, AND NOT ONLY WHEN I AM PRESENT WITH YOU."
Galatians 4:18

My Loyal Friend
I remember someone who claimed to be my friend. When I was with him, he would say nice things like, “I am committed to you. I have a relationship with you.” He also said things like, “I know you are loyal to me. You and I have a good relationship.” However, when I was not with this person he would say terrible things about me. Some of the things were so shocking that it was hard for me to believe! One day someone said to me, “If you ever heard what this man said about you behind your back, you would not go near him anymore!” What this person was telling me was not strange. You see, I had heard of alarming statements made by this man about me. I had received so many reports of the cruel discussions he had had about me.
This “loyal” friend was not loyal after all! When he was with me, he said nice things. As soon as we parted company, he stabbed me in the back and “weeded out” my legs! A little distance and the ugly head of disloyalty reared itself. He failed the “distance test” of loyalty repeatedly. Loyalty is not what you say or do when a person is with you. It is what you do and say when you are apart.

"It is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, AND NOT ONLY WHEN I AM PRESENT WITH YOU."
Galatians 4:18


Credits: Excerpt from,
How to Test Loyalty. 
Bishop Dag Heward Mills.

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