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Who am I? (7)
Loyalists: Loyalists love to be part of a great team. When life gets tough, we can count on them. They crave a cause to which they can give themselves, and want to be part of a group they can believe in. Loyalists want to help everyone else become better. They’re usually quite bright and articulate, although they may not always say what’s on their mind. If we’re loyalists, we might end up becoming cynical when we feel let down. We trust people and are loyal to them, and we don’t always get that in return, so we hold grudges and think they’ll never be there for us like we are for them. That’s why the Bible has so much to say about showing grace and forgiveness to each other. In Ephesians, it says: ‘Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you’ (4:32 NIV). As loyalists, we can also often perceive God as hard to please, and become fearful. Jesus told a story about three servants who were each given a sum of money to invest. The first two invested wisely, making a profit and pleasing their master. But the third, afraid of failing and upsetting his master, buried his talent in the ground (you can read the story in Matthew 25:14-30). God isn’t angry with us when we fail, but He does get disappointed when we don’t even try because we give in to fear. Throughout the Bible, God says to us ‘Do not be afraid.’ He doesn’t want us living in fear. He’s promises us that He’s with us. He says: ‘So do not fear, for I am with you.’ Will we trust Him?
What Now?
If you’re a loyalist, memorise Isaiah 41:10 and repeat it to yourself every time you feel afraid. If you’re not, pray for those who are. Ask God to help them break free from their pattern sins.
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