Really Dumb Questions
Good Morning,
Recently, I was asked, by a critical, very educated professional, a really stupid question. I remember in school being told, “there are no dumb questions,” but I take exception to that statement. Stupidity is often born in the heart and mind of the slanderous critic, and I give total credit to those evil roots for how this educated person came to speak so foolishly. Regardless of what made the person ask the question, the question revealed an agenda.
Here is what was said in a close paraphrase, “You think loyalty is very important don’t you?”
Well, I might sarcastically answer, “No, it is fine for a cop to help crooks, or for a Laker’s player to help the opponent during a game. I mean, what is strange about an American President leaving billions of dollars worth of high quality military equipment in the hands of those who hate us, or to deliver billions of dollars of cash to an enemy for use against our soldiers, I see no reason for loyalty to matter.” That kind of stupid makes decent people angry!
What is so important about a man caring more for his wife than any other woman, or for a parent to seek what is best for their own child? Loyalty? Why it is the root of any decent soul.
2 Samuel 15:10 “But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.”
vs. 11 “And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.”
vs. 12 “And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.”
vs. 13 “And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.”
This is one of the most tragic stories in the Bible. A dad made some choices that were seemingly unwise, and a strong son was terribly angry about those decisions and set out to steal the kingdom and kill his own father. Much death and suffering followed, and the “DISLOYAL SON” was killed which broke the father’s heart.
Someone might seek to discredit churches like ours for our love for loyalty, but America was built upon loyalty. Loyalty is what brought millions of martyrs to their death. Loyalty is the word that could summarize the entire set of marriage vows.
Loyalty, yes, you scornful, slanderous fool, loyalty is vital to life. What is a Benedict Arnold? Disloyal. What is a “double agent?” The image of disloyalty. What is the adulterous married person? Disloyal, that is what they are – disloyal to their vows, disloyal to their spouse, disloyal to their children, disloyal to their in-laws, disloyal to their God, disloyal to their Bible, and on and on. Their disloyalty is like the stink of a skunk hit by a car – every car that comes by smells and carries that stink wherever they go.
Let me get to the point quickly. I am to be loyal to the Bible, that is the highest authority in our lives. After that, and without violating that, I am to be loyal to those with whom I am in a relationship. Loyal fans will sit in freezing temperatures to watch their team lose. Loyal married people will stay with their spouse “for better and for worse” until they are forced to violate their first and highest loyalty to the Word of God.
Dr. Hyles told us he thought we should be loyal to principle and not to institutions. This philosophy came from a man who was a pastor and oversaw a college and three other schools. When a church, college, or denomination turns from the truth of the Bible and the truth of their founding principles, that institution should forfeit our loyalty. We have a loyalty to the higher relationship first.
I will be a loyal son, but my loyalty to my wife is higher, and I will not allow my parents to come between my spouse and I. I am loyal to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and as such, I am a loyal American. But when the nation turns from the basis upon which it was founded, my loyalty to the nation ceases. Today, I am loyal to the America we once had and to the principles upon which it was built, not to the fraudulent imposter of a nation we live in today. For politicians to place their hand on a Bible (that they never read) and pledge their loyalty to the Constitution is nothing but mockery to truth, loyalty, and their own honor. Rare is the politician today that has even a fragment of loyalty to the Constitution.
Stupid people, like the one who asked me the question trying to make me look evil, do not have the slightest idea of truth or loyalty, except to money and themselves.
Watch our services for continued thoughts on this subject, for loyalty is worthy of being passionate. May God give you wisdom to choose wisely your loyalties and to die for them if need be.
Pastor