“Love believes all things…” [I Corinthians 13:7]

The time is now that excellent sons and daughters are coming forth ~ ones who are responding in loyalty to their spiritual fathers and mothers in the faith. Because of the weight of ministry upon shepherds, they must surround themselves with true sons and daughters who are in training to ‘believe all things.’ That is, those who have the ability to trust. At the same time, Father God is raising up spiritual parentage who will love and care for those who have been given into their care.

Although every pastor or minister has experienced disloyalty and heartache from some members of their flock, the joys of raising up those who lend their hearts to sonship are plentiful! The endowment of spiritual training and passing of the baton is worth the tests and trials in loyalty.

Dennis Kinlaw said to his spiritual son: “I’m doing this, not so you can walk with me, but so you can stand on my shoulders.” Elijah did the same when he passed on a double portion anointing to Elisha. His intent was to raise up Elisha as opposed to drawing attention to himself. He divested his love and care to Elisha so that Elisha could receive the baton.

Absalom was critical of David’s leadership, and set himself to draw allegiance to himself from the Israelites. David did nothing to stop him. Saul, out of jealousy and greed, sought to kill David; yet David did nothing to harm him. The heart of David was to give the benefit of the doubt and “believe all things.”

Father God favors those who walk in loyalty. Psalm 15:3 says God brings into His presence the one who doesn’t “take up a reproach against his friend.” “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”  [2 Chronicles 16:9] Father God’s leadership style is the example set for promoting those with enduring qualities such as loyalty.

“Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me.” [Ruth 1:16-17]