Stand up for me against world opinion and I'll stand up for you before my Father in Heaven. If you turn tail and run, do you think I'll cover for you? Don't think I've come to make life cozy. I've come to cut--make a sharp knife between son and father; daughter and mother, bride and mother-in-law--cut through these cozy domestic arrangements and free you for God. Well meaning family members can be your worst enemies. If you prefer Father and mother over me, you don't deserve me. If you prefer son or daughter over me, you don't deserve me. If you don't go all the way with me, through thick and thin, you don't deserve me. If your first concern is to look after yourself, you'll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you'll find both yourself and me.
Matthew 10:32-39 Message Bible
Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have com to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter in law against her mother in law, a man's enemies will be the members of his own household. Anyone who love his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Matthew 10:32-39 New International Version
A Christian has made a documentary depicting Christians as harsh, intolerant, ignorant, narrow-minded and judgmental of non-christians. A well known christian television station ran the documentary this man has made. It was played in a mega-church and the people who watched this film became teary eyed after the movie stated that Christians had no idea how ignorant or harsh they were to the people of the world. This man also took his film to Lewis and Clark University which has a reputation of being the least religious school in the country. After the movie the students gave their opinion of the film. They all gave accolades to the man who made the film saying that they appreciated the way he depicted how judgmental christians are regarding other people who are not believers. They talked about love and one student said that Christians say that they love everyone but if a person is a homosexual then the christian will say they love the person but that the sin will send them to Hell. The young woman who said this thought it was not loving of Christians to tell anyone they are going to hell. Jesus said, "love not the world nor the things of the world" and He meant exactly what He said. Jesus told us to love one another as he loved them and he was refering to believers loving believers with a special and tender love. We also love the world but we do not tolerate their sins.
Jesus came to shake things up and we were called to shake things up! We were chosen to disturb the status quo. We were not called to blend in with the world; we were called to change the world! We are seasoned with grace to make a difference in the world; not to be haters of the world but to demonstrate to the world the power and love of God. We were called by Jesus to tell a dying, deceived world that their way of living will only lead to death and not life. Jesus was very clear when He said that He came to bring a sword to divide even households and family. He did not come to make us comfortable. When we are dealing with the world on a regular basis they should not feel comfortable with us because something about us should disturb their paradigm if they are living in sin. Jesus came to cut some things up and to make disciples and we are to do the same. Even in a person's household and extended family a distinction between those who belong to Jesus and those who don't has and will be made. Many Pastors have blamed the Believer if their family is not in the Church and seem to think that the Believer should "save" their family before attempting to save others. Humans can't save anyone at anytime. It is the work of the Holy Spirit and Jesus to draw people to Father. No one can save their family members; only God can. Our stance is to pray for our families. Remember, Jesus called a man to follow him and the man asked Jesus to let him go and bury his father first. Jesus said, "let the dead bury the dead" Jesus called those who were not born again, dead..
So we look at the issues that will arise in a home when one is lead by the Spirit of God and the others are not. There will be confusion and strife. The Believer will try to walk by Kingdom principles and the unbeliever will walk by the dictates of the world. The world and the Kingdom will always clash because they are headed by light and darkness. But there is a way for them to walk together. The Believer must trust God to give them patience and to walk in the Spirit. If we are walking in the Spirit we will not satisfy the dictates of the flesh. Our flesh will want to strike back when we are attacked but the Spirit of God in us should be allowed to rule and we submit to Him. Many believers are living in difficult circumstances and trying to keep marriages together and family together inspite of the teasing and mental turmoil many saints live with. It is a difficult walk but not an impossible walk.
So for those who are living in difficult circumstances and desire to walk in peace but have family members who make it difficult to do so; hold on. I want to speak the shalom of God over your life for Jehovah Shalom (the God of peace) will cover you with His awesome love. Love covers a multitude of sins. Know that all the hurtful words and the mean things you may have suffered by family members are only for a moment. Although the division is there, God tells us to put our eyes on Him and not to seek the best things for our lives but to seek Him and He will reward. Allow God to fill you to the brim with His love. Love forgives and covers but never tolerate wrong. Jesus delivered a woman and told her to go and sin no more. He loved her but also gave her a rebuke to get her life together. He didn't preach all night on how awful she was; he just spoke five words..."go and sin no more." He didn't grease her down with anointing oil, slap her on the forehead nor put a garbage bag under her face.
God sees your struggle and I want you to know that this is only a test. For our God will deliver you from the hand of the fowler and set your feet in high places. God will reward you for your faithfulness and the stand that you have taken with Him. He will call your name before the Father and will set you at the banquet table to feast on His goodness.
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