“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” (Matt. 10.37, ESV)¹

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¹Jesus demands preeminence in the lives of His disciples. Sometimes this can be very hard when it comes to our immediate family. In fact, there are many examples of where people have faced opposition from mother, father, son, daughter, etc. because they want to serve Jesus.

Occasionally this writer will study with someone who needs to obey the gospel and yet they choose not to because such would cause issues between them and their family. Who do they love more? Perhaps our extended family is planning a special trip or a family day that would require us to miss worship. We have a decision to make. Who do we love more? At times our families may invite us to visit sinful settings with them. We have a decision to make. Who do we love more? Sometimes our family may ask us to go see an inappropriate movie with them. We have a decision to make. Who do we love more?

While we have responsibilities to our families, followers of Jesus have responsibilities first and foremost to Him. The temptation to satisfy mom or dad can be very appealing; especially when our relationship becomes uncomfortable with them because we expose and oppose their sin. Unfortunately, some family members threaten loss of relationship or even inheritance. These things are sad, but such are the consequences of one who decides to be faithful to Christ (see 2 Tim. 3.12).

No wonder Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever 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” (Matt. 10.34-39).

Are you interested in learning more about being a disciple of Christ? Let us help you! E-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.

"So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus." (Acts 4.17, ESV).¹

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¹Because of their pride and jealousy (Acts 4.16; 5.17), upset authorities would not let the apostles continue to preach Christ's name. Luke records, "'But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.' So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, 'Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard'" (Acts 4.17-20, ESV). After being caught teaching again, the authorities said, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us” (Acts 5.28, ESV).

When the apostles were arrested for preaching about Jesus Christ, they answered "we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard" and "we must obey God rather than men". We see the conviction of these men when they continued to speak God's word even in the face of opposition. In other words, while they are convicted for preaching the gospel, it is because of their conviction that they continue to preach!

Are we willing to stand firm on our convictions (beliefs)?

If you're interested in learning more about God's word, e-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.