Craving Community - How the Gospel Helps You Cultivate Faithful FriendshipsSample

Proverbs 3:3–4 tells us the importance of loyalty and faithfulness, reminding us that they can bring favor in our lives from both God and people. If we want to make friendships that endure, we must be willing to be loyal. Loyalty is choosing to stay by someone’s side regardless of what they do or what they can do for you. Loyalty is the willingness to be a friend at all times.

Loyalty is not a blind decision to support someone even when they are wrong. It is not letting someone be unkind to you or walk all over you, expecting you to look the other way. Rather, loyalty is determination to be the friend you would want others to be for you. In His loyalty to us, God sent Jesus as an act of unmerited mercy and divine loyalty. Jesus was loyal to His Father and loyal to us when He was obedient to death on a cross.

Practically, loyalty requires consistency. It requires you to display the characteristics of a friend at all times. Loyalty also requires sacrifice. It may look like answering the phone for a friend when you would rather watch TV. It could be keeping that dinner plan when you want to cancel and stay home. Loyalty is choosing to keep your word to a friend when a better option presents itself. It is loving a friend at their best and at their worst.

The name for God’s loyalty to us is the Hebrew word “hesed.” It conveys a love that is perpetual, grand, persistent, consistent, and forever. Our friendships are meant to be a reflection of that love.

In what areas can you ask God to help you grow in your loyalty to others?