Saul of Tarsus, being absolutely convinced that he was on a mission from God, met Jesus on the road to Damascus. At this point, Jesus confronted Him and turned his entire theological world upside down: Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me... (Acts 9:4-5) Jesus could have said, Why do you persecute my people? But He didnt. He asked him... Why do you persecute ME? In other words, Jesus took it personally. What Saul had been doing to Gods people, he had been doing directly to Jesus. There was no distinction. For those of you who are un-friending and disassociating yourself from people because they have left your church, make sure that your motives are right and that youre not violating your conscience in doing so (Romans 14:23). God takes this more seriously than you may think (Matthew 25:40). For example: Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God (John 12:42-43). They would not act according to the faith that was in their hearts, and what they knew to be true. Instead, the approval of men was more important to them than the approval that comes from God. Let me explain the following verse before some of you absolutely destroy whats left of your families: Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a mans foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me (Matthew 10:34-37). Notice that Jesus is referring to Himself here, not your pastor, or any other human being. In fact, it means just the opposite of what some of you have been led to believe. Lets say, for instance, that you were raised in a Muslim home. You woke up one morning and realized that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, that He is Lord of all, and so you confess Him before God and before your family members as the scripture requires (Matthew 10:32-33). Suddenly, your family gives you two choices: Renounce Jesus or be shunned, disowned, and driven out of the family... At this point, who is doing the disassociating? It is the other party, and the subject matter is Jesus, not an imam, a rabbi, or a preacher. The Christian, of course, should choose the reproach, but yet attempt to stay in fellowship with their family in order to show them Gods love and compassion, and endeavor to make their case for Christianity. However, this may not be possible. The family may unequivocally and categorically reject this, and reject them. At this point, the believer has a choice... Do I go with Jesus and suffer the rejection of my family, or do I compromise my convictions, and my faith? It has absolutely nothing to do with loyalty to any man whatsoever. Its about God, and our relationship with Him. God will NEVER ask you to disown your mother and father in order to be loyal to a pastor... NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER!!!! In fact, He will not even ask you to disown your family to be loyal to Him, as it is THEM who disown YOU!!!! These are manipulation and strong-arm tactics that the heathen religions of the world use to intimidate their subjects into submission. We are simply required to stand steadfast in the confession and practice of our faith, and we must follow Jesus regardless of the cost while demonstrating His love to one another, and to a lost and dying world. Can you see this? God loves families. The family was the very first institution that He created. The family comes before the local church (this may surprise some of you, but its the truth). God has commanded us to honor our mothers and fathers; this was the very first commandment, and a promise was attached to it (Ephesians 6:2-3). To obey this command brought a blessing, and to disobey, a curse (in both the Old and New Testaments). This applies even if they (your mother and farther) are wicked; how much more if they are of the household of faith (believers in Jesus). Be careful where your loyalty lies; make sure that its aligned with the right thing.
Posted on: Mon, 13 Oct 2014 11:33:09 +0000
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