In 2023, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs played against each other in the Super Bowl. When it became clear that these two teams were going to play against each other, many people marveled at the fact that two brothers, Travis, and Jason Kelce, were going to play against each other in this game and that their mother, among other family members, was going to be cheering for both teams this game. It is safe to say that their mother had divided loyalty during the 2023 Super Bowl. While this situation forced Donna Kelce to have divided loyalty, we all know that it is nearly impossible to have divided loyalty in any situation. This is particularly true in our relationship with Christ. Scripture makes it clear that there is no room for Christ followers to have divided loyalty.
Peter explained in the book of 1 Peter that when we give our lives to Christ, our loyalties change. We no longer live for the world. Here is what he writes in 1 Peter 1, "God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and His Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed Him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ" (verse 2). This verse teaches us that because we are His followers, we have been set apart. Our calling is to obey Him. Obedience to God is a sign of our loyalty to Him.
Jesus made it clear that there is no room for His followers to have divided loyalty. While He was teaching one day, He said, "No one can serve two masters. For you will either hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other" (verse 24). According to this passage of Scripture, we cannot be loyal to both Christ and the world. He demands our undivided loyalty.
Saying “yes” to Jesus means saying “no” to the things of this world. It means obeying Him and following Him rather than investing in this world. Where do your loyalties lie? Will you let go of your loyalty to this world in order to have complete, undivided loyalty to Him?
Is there an area of your life where your loyalty has been divided? Maybe you have been consumed by something in this world, such as your career or a material possession. It is time to confess that to God. Confess to God anything that has taken your loyalty away from Him, and commit to giving Him your total, undivided loyalty.
24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.
25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
