Do You Have Loyalty in the Duffel Bag of Your Character?

INTRODUCTION

This book is set against the backdrop of the trenches of war. Soldiers carried duffel bags which contained all the essentials they needed for life in the field of battle. In fact, a duffel bag is used for transporting personal belongings.
Trenches were bases of operation for the military engaged in the heat of battle. A trench is a long, narrow excavation used for military defense. Those who reside in the trenches experience the sights, the sounds, the agonies, and the suffering of warfare. Those who fight from the trenches do so with this solace: There are soldiers fighting next to them in the same battle. There is strength and courage to be derived from people working and fighting together against a common enemy. Soldiers in the trenches should be dependable people surrounded by dependable people.

Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 NKJV)

Companions are people who are knit together. The church is also comprised of soldiers who are knit together. We are engaged in the ultimate war with an invisible and wily enemy. We are in the trenches with each other, and we derive courage and comfort from the support and camaraderie of men and women on either side. Camaraderie means that we share the same sleeping quarters. In other words, we are in this together. We share a life in common with fellow believers, and we should all be willing to lay down our lives for each other. We should be in the trenches with people who have our backs.
Sadly, there are more duffel bags than soldiers in the trenches. There are duffel bags with no corresponding soldiers because men and women have deserted the trenches and left their duffel bags behind. What is the explanation for this condition? The answer lies in the contents of the duffel bags of the missing soldiers. If you turn the duffel bag of a missing soldier upside down, shake out the contents on the ground of that trench, and scratch through those contents, your question will be answered. The mystery will be solved.

The soldier did not have loyalty in the duffel bag of his or her character.

Loyalty is a character trait that should be indigenous to the church. However, the atmosphere of loyalty is becoming rare air in the body of Christ. This book is dedicated to the understanding of loyalty. I want to teach you about loyalty with the hope that you will add it to the contents of your duffel bag.
There are many who speak the vocabulary of loyalty. There are few who function in the vocation of loyalty.

The bandwagon is loaded down with so-called loyal people. However, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

Lots of people claim to be loyal and loving, but where on earth can you find one? (Proverbs 20:6 MSG)

It is amazing to me that one has to search for a loyal person. My hope is that this book will change that scenario. After reading this book and applying this teaching to your life, I believe that many more will be able to answer yes to a question which is also the title of this book:

Do you have loyalty in the duffel bag of your character?