Has love been watered down? Has loyalty lost its meaning? Is the light of the church fading into just a lighter shade of the world’s darkness? It’s easy to see how these core values—love, loyalty, and light—have been exploited or misunderstood. Love today is often reduced to fleeting emotions, loyalty is seen as old-fashioned, and being a light seems harder when the line between the church and the world feels blurred.
But the Bible calls us to something far deeper. Love is not about how we feel, but about what we do. Loyalty isn’t just sticking around when it’s convenient, it’s about faithfulness in all seasons. And light isn’t about blending in with the world—it’s about standing out, shining brightly in contrast to the darkness.
So how do we bring these values back to life? How can we live in a way that reflects true love, unwavering loyalty, and a light that cuts through the darkness?
1. Love: No More Watered-Down Versions
Love has been redefined in countless ways. It’s become more about what we can get than what we can give. We hear “I love you” tossed around without much weight, and love is often tied to emotions that change with the wind. But Jesus showed us a love that’s constant, sacrificial, and committed—a love that endures beyond feelings or convenience.
In John 13:34-35, Jesus didn’t just encourage us to love—He commanded it: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (KJV). But how does that compare to the fleeting, watered-down version of love we see today?
Real Love Takes Work
True love isn’t based on feelings or personal benefit. It’s about selfless action, even when it’s hard. In John 15:13, Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (KJV). Love like this requires sacrifice—sometimes of time, comfort, and pride.
The culture around us might tell us that love is about what we can get from others. But biblical love asks, “What can I give?” It challenges us to love not just when it’s easy, but when it costs us something.
How Can We Bring Back True Love?
- Sacrificial Love: Jesus showed us that real love means laying down our lives—sometimes that means giving up our comfort, our time, or our plans to serve someone else.
- Love That Forgives: In a world where grudges and unforgiveness are common, love forgives freely. “Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another… even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye” (Colossians 3:13, KJV).
- Love Without Conditions: Romans 5:8 says, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (KJV). If Christ loved us at our worst, how can we withhold love from others who hurt or disappoint us?
Practical Steps to Show Real Love:
- Serve without expecting a return: Whether it’s helping a friend move or taking care of someone in need, serving is love in action.
- Practice forgiveness: Is there someone you need to forgive? Make the choice to love them through forgiveness, just as Christ forgave you.
- Show up for others: Be present in the lives of those around you, especially when it’s inconvenient. Love isn’t just words; it’s action.
2. Loyalty: A Lost Virtue
Loyalty is another virtue that seems to have lost its place in today’s world. In a culture where convenience is king, loyalty often takes a backseat to personal gain or comfort. But in Scripture, loyalty is deeply tied to faithfulness, perseverance, and commitment—especially when it’s not easy.
Consider how loyalty is treated today. People are loyal to ideas, causes, or relationships until something better comes along. But God’s idea of loyalty is radically different. It’s about sticking with Him through the highs and the lows, being faithful when it would be easier to walk away.
In the Bible, we see examples like Ruth, who remained loyal to Naomi, saying, “Where thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God” (Ruth 1:16, KJV). Ruth’s loyalty wasn’t based on convenience or reward—it was a deep, unwavering commitment.
What Does True Loyalty Look Like?
- Faithfulness in the Face of Trials: Loyalty to God means sticking with Him even when life doesn’t make sense. Job, despite his suffering, said, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13:15, KJV). Real loyalty means staying faithful, even when it’s hard.
- Obedience When It’s Unpopular: Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15, KJV). Loyalty requires obedience, even when it’s uncomfortable or unpopular. This might mean standing up for biblical truth in a world that doesn’t always agree.
- Staying Committed in a Culture of Convenience: In a world where people move on as soon as things get tough, loyalty calls us to stand firm. 2 Timothy 2:13 reminds us that God is faithful even when we are not: “If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself” (KJV).
How Can We Practice Loyalty Every Day?
- Stay consistent in your walk with God: Even when you don’t feel like it, commit to regular prayer and Bible reading. Loyalty grows when we stay connected to God.
- Stand firm in your faith: Don’t let the world’s shifting values pull you away from biblical truth. Loyalty to God means standing by His Word, no matter what culture says.
- Be loyal to others: Whether in friendships, marriage, or church community, let your loyalty reflect God’s unchanging faithfulness.
3. Light: A Faded Glow?
Jesus calls us to be the light of the world, but sometimes it feels like our light has dimmed, blending in with the world around us. Instead of standing out, we can sometimes end up just a slightly brighter shade of the same darkness that surrounds us.
In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus says, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid… Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (KJV). But what happens when our light starts to look more like a flicker?
How Can We Be the Light in a Dark World?
- Live Differently: Philippians 2:15 says we are to “shine as lights in the world” (KJV). That means living with integrity, honesty, and love in a way that is noticeably different from the world around us. Our light shouldn’t blend in—it should stand out.
- Offer Hope: Being a light means offering hope when everything around us seems dark. 1 Peter 3:15 calls us to “be ready always to give an answer… for the hope that is in you” (KJV). In a world full of despair, we have the ultimate source of hope—Jesus.
- Reflect Jesus, Not Ourselves: Our light isn’t about drawing attention to ourselves—it’s about pointing others to Jesus. In John 8:12, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (KJV).
Practical Ways to Shine Brighter:
- Live with integrity: People notice when you live with honesty and kindness, especially when it’s rare. Shine by living according to God’s truth, even when no one is watching.
- Be a source of hope: In your conversations, offer encouragement and point others to the hope we have in Christ.
- Serve selflessly: Just as Jesus served, we are called to serve others with humility and love. Look for ways to meet the needs of those around you, whether through time, resources, or simply being present.
Conclusion: It’s Time to Rediscover the Power of Love, Loyalty, and Light
It’s easy to let these values—love, loyalty, and light—fade into the background of our lives. But God is calling us to something deeper. Love that is sacrificial and unconditional, loyalty that stands firm in the face of trials, and light that shines brightly in a dark world.
So how will you live out these values today? How will you move beyond watered-down versions and live in a way that reflects the heart of God? The world is watching—and more importantly, God is inviting you to live a life that reflects His love, loyalty, and light in every moment.
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—Joshua Mullins
Faith Works 
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