It was a different world in 1947. Communists and the Cold War were the greatest threats. Even though the Americans and Russians fought against the Germans in WWII, America still had a distrust for Russia because of their dictatorial leader, Joseph Stalin, and their communistic ideology.
Rumors had been swirling that the “commies” had infiltrated two of the most influential organizations in the United States: Hollywood and Washington, D.C. President Harry S. Truman was being vilified as soft, mollycoddling known communists. The nation was experiencing what came to be known as the Red Scare. Communists were often referred to as “reds” because of their allegiance to the red Soviet flag. What was Truman going to do about this?
On this day in 1947, Truman issued Executive Order 9835. It was known as The Loyalty Order and it “established the first general loyalty program in the United States, which was designed to root out communist influence within the various departments of the U.S. federal government.”1 This 2,542 word document began with these words: “PRESCRIBING PROCEDURES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF AN EMPLOYEES LOYALTY PROGRAM IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT.”2
Loyalty boards were established with a protocol for scrutinizing workers. Those who were deemed disloyal were dismissed from service. A review process for their termination was provided. In all, just a few communist sympathizers were eradicated.
President Truman justified this program with these words: “WHEREAS it is of vital importance that persons employed in the Federal service be of complete and unswerving loyalty to the United States…”3 I can understand and appreciate the spirit behind this move. Personally, I wouldn’t want anyone serving in the United States who isn’t completely loyal to the United States. The oath of office given when the elected take office reflects this.
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”4
However, can you really legislate loyalty? The Truman-era executive order quickly turned into a witch hunt because it is virtually impossible to remain impartial and not to use such a program to remove those who disagree with you. This is what happened.
Imagine for a moment that God instituted a Loyalty Order. We know that it would be pure and just. It would be fair and impartial. The findings would be irrefutable. Would the Lord find us, His church, complete and unswervingly loyal to Him?
God’s loyalty test is summed up in Mark 12:29-30. “And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: (30) And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.” Before we are too quick to check the box and declare ourselves loyal, let’s think about the words. We are to love the Lord with all of our…
Heart. One Bible commentator says, “The heart in the Hebrew understanding is the core of a person’s identity; it is the source of all thoughts, words, and actions. For that reason Proverbs 4:23 commands, “Keep thy heart with all diligence, for our of it are the issues of life.” Love for God must flow from the deepest part of a person’s being.”5 Vincent’s Word Studies says, “The heart, not only as the seat of the affections, but as the centre [sic] of our complex being – physical, moral, spiritual, and intellectual.”
Soul. Some take soul to refer to the emotions. However, it seems to be more than that in Scripture. Quite literally, it is our life. It’s who and what we are.
Mind. Our intellect, will, and thoughts are all to be loving the Lord God.
Strength. That’s easy to explain. Physically, our life belongs to the Lord and our actions should demonstrate that we love the Lord.
Now, you might be puffing out your chest a bit, thinking that you’ve got this covered. Jesus has a stipulation, though. “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with ALL they heart…soul…mind…strength.” A friend at church remembers a phrase a former pastor used to say: All means all and that’s all all means! NOTHING can be held in reserve for us. ALL of our heart must love the Lord. All of our soul. All of our mind. All of our strength.
One Bible commentator words it this way. “The intellectual, emotional, volitional, and physical elements of personhood are all involved in loving God. Genuine love for God is an intelligent love, an emotional love, a willing love, and an active love. In short, it is a comprehensive, all-consuming love and singular adoration.”6
Take the loyalty test today and see if you pass.
1https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Executive_Order_9835
2https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/executive-orders/9835/executive-order-9835
3Ibid.
4https://www.senate.gov/about/origins-foundations/senate-and-constitution/oath-of-office.htm
5https://www.preceptaustin.org/mark-12-commentary#12:30
6Ibid.
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