I

You have followed Me all these years,

yet have never given Me one iota of loyalty.

Instead, you have revolved around

the people you love and the things that please you—

so much so that at all times, and wherever you go,

you keep them close to your hearts and have never abandoned them,

you keep them close to your hearts and have never abandoned them.

Whenever you become eager or passionate about any one thing that you love,

it happens while you are following Me,

or even while you are listening to My words.

Therefore, I say that you are using the loyalty that I ask of you

to instead be loyal to and cherish your "pets."

Though you may sacrifice a thing or two for Me,

it does not represent your all,

and does not show that it is Me to whom you are truly loyal.

II

You involve yourselves in undertakings about which you are passionate:

Some people are loyal to sons and daughters,

others to husbands, wives, riches, work, or superiors, status, or women.

You never feel weary or annoyed toward the things you are loyal to;

instead, you grow ever more eager to possess these things

in greater quantity, and higher quality, and you never give up.

I and My words are always pushed back behind the things

you are passionate about.

And you have no choice but to rank them last.

There are even those who leave this last place

for things they're loyal to that they have yet to discover.

Never has there been the slightest trace of Me in their hearts.

from The Word, Vol. 1. The Appearance and Work of God. To Whom Are You Loyal?