Do You Love God More?

“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” – Luke 14:26-27

There is a tension between the natural and the supernatural or spiritual. And there are some aspects of the natural that seem reasonable, even honorable, that are often chosen above spiritual mandates.  Jesus was speaking to the most important.

“‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?’ Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” – Matthew 22:36-39

Love God first and then love others. Would God ask you to forsake your natural relationships in favor of your relationship with Him? No – He commands it. Jesus did not mean that I am to hate my relatives, but choosing God before them is likened to hating them. Because I didn’t choose them first. God also said to honor our mothers and fathers – the 5^th commandment – but that was in the context of the first four which have to do with putting God first. Because I obey the first four (having to do with my relationship with God), I can fulfill the last six (having to do with my relationship with others.

It is like the not-so-funny joke about the wife who told her husband that he never tells her that he loves her.  He answered that he told her the day he married her and if it ever changes he will let her know. That is how many treat God after salvation. Spiritual comes first then the natural – but we can become so busy with the natural that sometimes the spiritual can seem to get in the way. 

To make certain that I am clear – neglecting your family is not the same as putting God first.  God – family – others should be the order of things.  Many Christians must face the reality of people they love not being people of faith.  They may even face rejection for their faith – or at minimum relational distancing – being treated like a person with special needs – not quite right.

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me [Jesus] before it hated you.” – John 15:18

But my encouragement is not for them – they are incapable of understanding it and see it as foolishness – it is for you. We must constantly check ourselves, else our flesh – old nature – will draw us away.  We may even hear the question that Eve heard in the Garden – “Did God really say …?” Would God really ask you to choose between Him and your wife, husband, children, mother, father? He already has – but not to their detriment but for their good.  If God calls you to go beyond the secular and serve in the spiritual why do you think that He would neglect your family? As a friend of mine would say, “That is stinkin’ thinkin’!” That is you old nature rising up against the new.  It is you will resisting the will of the Father.  The subject is deep – but I think I will stop here – it is enough to consider.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone