Character Studies - ElectronicGospel

or friendship at all (First John 3:10-19)b. “If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Evensinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend,expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for heis kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:34-36).B. Loyalty1. Ittai is also remarkable for the loyalty of his friendship, tested by the risk of his life in additionto his fortune2. he possessed the kind of self-denying loyalty that Paul hoped to find in Timothy as he wrotehim in great infamy and distress (Second Timothy 1:8-12)3. it is a work of disloyalty when we are ashamed of the gospel or those who declare it becausethey do not measure up to our carnal standards or pride–because they are poor or uneducated orinexperienced; “Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be conceited” (Romans 12:16).4. the truth is that genuine disciples are not often found among the societal elites (FirstCorinthians 1:26-31)5. loyalty is often tested just as friendship was–by the price tag attached to it (Luke 16:9-15)C. Courage1. Ittai was a courageous man, who was rewarded with the greater opportunities because herefused to be talked into cowardice2. like him, we need the courage instilled in us by our teachers and experiences and faith to useour gifts and opportunities to seek greater service (Second Timothy 1:3-7)3. the self-preservation impulse within us will sometimes argue against standing up and speakingout, but the Spirit reminds us that, “as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable … their portion willbe in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8)ConclusionIttai is a great, if obscure, example of courage and loyalty, the kind that Jesus showed to us and which weare now privileged to return.220