Do you hate your family? I know I do!
OK, now that I have your attention, let me redirect. First read this:
Luke 14:25-27
25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters-yes, even his own life-he cannot be my disciple. 27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. (NIV)
Harsh words from Jesus. Does He really mean that we need to "hate" our families in order to follow Him? I don't think so. But what He does expect is that we put Him first. Always. No matter what. Over everything. Over every relationship. Period.
And that will cost us, because we cannot serve two masters. As a Christian, the call is to turn it all over to Christ. All of it. Even the things we hold the most dear. So, Lord, help me!
2 comments:
One of the many difficult things Our Lord said. Rough. But putting him first is the only faithful way.
Let me propose that the behavioral definition of hating someone is "to work against the good" of that person. In opposition to this is to love, which, behaviorally is working for the good of a person, even if it makes you uncomfortable.
Jesus also says, "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" (Matthew 25:37-40)
Do we put our own families well-being before the well-being of God's entire family? Does our fear of what a homeless man could do to our houses (theft, injure us, etc) leave us with an empty bedroom at home? Do we worry about having money for our family vacation before we give our tithe to God's kingdom?
God loves our families more than we ever could, let him work for your good and theirs, and you work for His!
And, to paraphrase Paul: It's not like I'm perfect yet, but you better believe I'm pushing to be so!
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