Thoughts on Loyalty

Thoughts on Loyalty
In the study of leadership, coming across the word 'loyalty' in it's various forms is normal. Leaders can only lead those who submit to their leadership. True leadership can only influence voluntary following in the people. So we assume people who follow do so because they want to. Yet, it can't be assumed that every follower is a loyalist or is loyal depending on what such is loyal to or disloyal to.
What touched the loyalty button inside individuals that made them follow are different and to that each will be loyal. Though leadership may not define acceptable loyalty as such.
In Christianity and its leadership, one of the concepts of leadership is called the 'follower-leadership' whereby the leader is also a follower of Someone else. The Christian leader is a follower of Christ either at home or in church administration. He or she isn't the ultimate leader. He can't call the shots without being led himself by the Spirit and the Word of God in the normal circumstance. This too tells on the demand for loyalty.
Most leadership error come from the inability to obey the 'follower-leader' concept. Apostle Paul said [My Offline Bible] 1 Corinthians 11
1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
When the hierarchy set forth in that simple statement is breached it's no longer Christian leadership. That concept as said earlier must also inform the giving and receiving of loyalty.
The Christian leader receives his authority from Christ and his confidence is borne on that premise. He demands loyalty towards Christ and not to self. He is protected and strengthened  by the authority he received from Christ and those who seek to follow Christ would follow him with confidence.  But that goes as far as he follows Christ. The true Christian desires to follow Christ and to imitate God towards becoming like Him. But the body administrative structure requires that in being organized, a leadership structure be in place for things to be done decently and in order according to Apostle Paul in 1Corinthians 14. The leadership structure therefore operates in concert with the ultimate cause of believers conforming to Christ's image. The leadership must follow Christ in all things to remain relevant in its middle position: the believer follow the leader as a necessary bridge to following Christ.
Responsible leadership therefore points Christ to the follower and not to self. The honorable leader seeks loyalty to Christ and not to self. The loyal leader demands loyalty towards Christ, while the disloyal seeks loyalty towards self.
And that's where the weakness of leadership lies. The desire for loyalty weakens leadership. The more crave the leader has for loyalty towards self do not only show how exposed his disloyalty to Christ is but also shows how vulnerable he has become to disloyal people among his ranks or team.
What we crave for become baits in the fishing hooks of the predators who desire to prey on us; you don't try to catch a fish tying ordinary rope to the hook...you put there the desire of the fish.
Loyalty is portrayed by the obedience we receive from our followers. Their desire to always be there for us, to do our will and those things that please us. Their willingness to be ready to fight for us and to even die for us, if need be, shows loyalty. We desire they be ready never to be in variance with our opinions, decisions and actions, good or bad and to even defend them to blood. Whoever won't do that is a rebel and disloyal.
But people who in their heart has disloyalty breeding and brooding also know this. They present that front and with a kiss and fair speeches betray their already vulnerable leaders.
Jesus said it shall not be so among His followers. A true Christian leader would demand such loyalty towards Christ and not self. He will demand obedience to Christ at all cost. He will differentiate between Christ and himself and exalt Christ and His Word. He let's the world know he's only a servant and one of the followers of Christ privileged to lead others to Him and to do His works.
Leaders who don't mind disobedience to Christ in the course of defending self aren't true Christian leaders and the followers who are ready to disobey God's word to defend their leaders in order to show loyalty aren't following Christ. True leaders defend Christ at their own expense and not mess up Christ to protect self.
Leaders who don't mind the destruction of God's work and people in order to look good are not serving Christ and His God. And they open up themselves to the whims and caprice of evil people.
Are you a Christian leader? Know that you are still imperfect and let no one defend your imperfections at the expense of Christ. Let your vision be that followers remain loyal to Christ and His principles, let none of God's word be broken in your defence. Let no one do evil to protect you, let no one commit any sin to make you look good. Let Christ and His Father be the Ones presented to the world.
Those who are ready to offend God to please you are enemies in disguise.  Those who won't seek God by themselves but would do whatever you say either good or bad aren't loyalists. Those who speak evil of the commandments of God yet defend your errors are bringing death and destruction you.
Mark those who will stand for God even when it's not convenient, they'll be loyal to you and to your God. Mark those who like Berean Christians will put your words to the test of God's commandments, they are your true friends. But run from those who lool loyal to you but are disloyal to Christ...they can't love you more than they love God! Good morning! Share and Visit evansademanuel.blogspot.com and let's know you came.