Matthew 10:34-38
Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth. I did not come to send peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man’s foes shall be those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.
This passage struck me lately. Especially verse 37.
He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
Ive been seeing a lot of people lately who dont want to give up things or people in their lives who lead them away from the Lord. Someone who is saved, but who has a rabidly antiChristian boyfriend who is shaking their faith. Someone who loves their fiance and is living with them, but wont stop that sin to follow the relationship with Christ.
Jesus told us what the greatest commandment is in Matthew 22:36-38
Master, which is the great commandment in the Law? Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment.
We say He needs to be first in our lives, but is He? Are we allowing someone or something to take precedence? Do we encourage new believers enough to put aside the things or lifestyle or even the people who come between them and the Lord? Is our heart and our focus on the Lord first?