Georgia was established as an American colony in 1733 and was named after British King George II. This southernmost state was the last of the thirteen original American colonies to be established and the most steadfastly loyal to Britain.
The British were keenly interested in Georgia’s loyalty for two reasons. One, the colony provided a strategic buffer to its two rival empires: the Spanish to the south in Florida and the French who controlled Louisiana (named after their king, Louis). Second, Georgia was also the closest North American colony to their prized Caribbean colonies which produced sugar; their highly profitable cash-crop.
Georgians were initially fiercely loyal to the British for two reasons. First, Georgians sought and needed their military protection against the two neighboring empires and the hostile Native Americans. (In fact, all thirteen colonies needed this protection.) Secondly and uniquely, Georgia was initially established as a colonial haven for British citizens who were either poor or in debt. Its citizens, many who were the descendents of those groups, were grateful for the charitable spirit of the British.
However, by 1776, dissatisfaction grew amongst its citizens because of the British restrictions on trade and westward expansion as were the other American British colonies. On July 4, 1776, Georgia declared its independence from Britain after heavy pressure for the other twelve colonies to do so.
During the Revolutionary War, the British quickly regained control of Georgia by 1778. British soliders felt particular angst to the Georgian Patriots for their sudden reversal of allegiance. Swift and severe retribution was applied by the red-coats including economic and military hardships.After years of turmoil, the British were defeated by the Patriots in Georgia in 1782 due also in large part to the French naval blockade.
In the pre-war and pressurized war years, Georgians faced a severe test of their loyalty to the British. Their disloyalty to the crown resulted in immediate consequences including displacement from their homes and farms, literal tests of loyalty that the British troops would administer, and economic sacrifices. The British withdrawal in 1782 and eventual American victory at Yorktown in 1783 provided validation that their sacrifice was worth it, but there were many times that Georgians questioned their disloyalty to the British.
God is not silent about loyalty. The first commandment God gave to the Israelites is that You shall have no other gods [including people who you place higher allegiance in] before Me”(Ex. 20:3). Jesus, speaking to His disciples about loyalty, said: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Mat. 10:37). While this type of loyalty seems harsh, it is actually for our good. By sustaining loyalty to God, we become free to follow Him whether that means our family is for us or against us.
Following Jesus will likely result in having to be tested in your loyalty towards your family. Humans were designed by God to find our primary attachment, safety and love within our families. This is a God-ordained good. However, as God disciples us, He will ask us to make choices that conflict with our parents or seem unwise towards our children.
For example, out of obedience to God you may sell your house and move towards a neighboring state to serve at a church. Your parents might respond about your questionable financial decisions and buckle at the missed opportunities for the kids. This decision might cause division. While discord and disunity is not God’s heart, this division can be a by-product of obedience towards the Lord. Jesus foretold of this by saying: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household” (Mat. 10:34-36).
Tests of loyalty reveal whom we place our greatest trust and love. In Jesus, we can find hope and empowerment to be totally loyal to God. While in torture on the cross, when all was dark, Jesus chose to remain obedient and loyal by declaring in final breath: ‘“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!’” (Luke 23:46). Even though God turned His face away from His Son; Jesus was loyal. And through the same Spirit that Jesus rose Jesus from the grave, can empower us to commit our lives into His good hands.
The lesson from history and His story is to choose your loyalty very carefully.