And a man's 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. Mat 10:36-37
son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Mat 10:36-37
In posting these verses, I asked myself how many who read them have ever heard a sermon preached on them. I'd venture to guess, few, if any.
I know that Jesus never spoke anything he didn't mean. He was completely serious when he said this to the people standing before him. Let's take a look at what can be gleaned from his words. What can be brought out from them, and what can we learn, to apply to our lives.
Those we love most are those we most want to please, whose pleasure, interests, acceptance and company we prefer. If, in order to please a father or mother or family members, who are opposed to our walk with Jesus, or our desire for godliness-we abandon God's commandments, we are unworthy of anything but hell.
Why? Because his meaning is clear. Christ must be loved supremely, or He is not loved at all.
During Jesus' entire ministry on the earth, he was misunderstood, even by his own family. He had brother's and sister's, and it does not say they all believed He was what He claimed-to be the Son of the living God. They had grown up with him, and knew him intimately. But, when He began His ministry, they did not all follow Him. I'll let the reader, research this.
If we aren't willing to give up earthly possessions, all earthly family and friends, and if we do not obey Christ rather than others, we have no true attachment to Him. We may claim to be a Christian, but, our choices will reveal the truth of our claims.
Jesus Christ knows what He is, and what His claims are and what Christian discipleship is. The Lord knows them that are His, and He knows them by this-that they put Him first, Him most, Him without end.
In every individual case, this test will bring us to the point of having to choose who we will obey-God, or our loved ones. Our trial of faith will bring us through, only through remaining steadfast in faith, and praying for the strength to obey His word over all else.
I know that Jesus never spoke anything he didn't mean. He was completely serious when he said this to the people standing before him. Let's take a look at what can be gleaned from his words. What can be brought out from them, and what can we learn, to apply to our lives.
Those we love most are those we most want to please, whose pleasure, interests, acceptance and company we prefer. If, in order to please a father or mother or family members, who are opposed to our walk with Jesus, or our desire for godliness-we abandon God's commandments, we are unworthy of anything but hell.
Why? Because his meaning is clear. Christ must be loved supremely, or He is not loved at all.
During Jesus' entire ministry on the earth, he was misunderstood, even by his own family. He had brother's and sister's, and it does not say they all believed He was what He claimed-to be the Son of the living God. They had grown up with him, and knew him intimately. But, when He began His ministry, they did not all follow Him. I'll let the reader, research this.
If we aren't willing to give up earthly possessions, all earthly family and friends, and if we do not obey Christ rather than others, we have no true attachment to Him. We may claim to be a Christian, but, our choices will reveal the truth of our claims.
Jesus Christ knows what He is, and what His claims are and what Christian discipleship is. The Lord knows them that are His, and He knows them by this-that they put Him first, Him most, Him without end.
In every individual case, this test will bring us to the point of having to choose who we will obey-God, or our loved ones. Our trial of faith will bring us through, only through remaining steadfast in faith, and praying for the strength to obey His word over all else.
LOSING ALL TO KNOW CHRIST
Paul spoke in this manner, regarding losing everything in this world as "dung", that he may win Christ.
Php 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Php 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Php 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Php 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
When Paul became a Christian, he gave up his brilliant prospects in regard to this life, and everything which his heart had been placed. He abandoned the hope of honor and distinction. He sacrificed every prospect of gain or ease; and he gave up his dearest friends and separated himself from those whom he tenderly loved.
He might have risen to the highest posts of honor in his native land, and the path which an ambitious young man desires was fully open before him. But, all this had been sacrificed in order that he might obtain Christ, and be partaker of the blessings only Christ could give. He wasn't informed of the extent of the loss he would endure to follow Christ when he was first saved. His many persecutions recorded in Acts attest to some degree, the severity of his sufferings. He likely was excommunicated by the Jews, more than once, and disowned by his own family. His statement can be said to be "I have made a voluntary choice of Christ, His cross, His poverty, and His reproach; and for these I have freely sacrificed all I had from the world, and all I could expect to gain."
These verses sum up Paul's views of the entire matter. There is nothing in this world, to compare with his desire to seek Christ, to know Him, and to attain the resurrection of the dead.
By losing all that the world calls excellent, he gained Christ, and salvation through Him.
At the end of his life, while awaiting execution by beheading by Caesar Nero, Paul's declaration was one of victory.
2Ti 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
2Ti 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
God had showed him what was to come-he considered himself as being sacrificed, and looks upon his blood as a sacrificial offering, as wine and oil were on the ancient sacrifices. He was ready, and prepared, there is no hint of fear. He recognized this as God's allowance, and will in his life. He no doubt reflected on the night before Jesus' death on the cross, and how He had wrestled in prayer, praying three times for this cup to pass, but finally surrendering, and giving the solemn proclamation "Thy will, be done". Paul had laid down his life in surrender, in the same manner.
Now, the crown of righteousness awaited him. Justified, not by any works of his, but by his faith alone. The crown of righteousness that awaited him, also awaits all those, who follow his path.
Those who echo his words-"Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ".
Lorna Couillard
Php 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Php 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Php 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Php 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
When Paul became a Christian, he gave up his brilliant prospects in regard to this life, and everything which his heart had been placed. He abandoned the hope of honor and distinction. He sacrificed every prospect of gain or ease; and he gave up his dearest friends and separated himself from those whom he tenderly loved.
He might have risen to the highest posts of honor in his native land, and the path which an ambitious young man desires was fully open before him. But, all this had been sacrificed in order that he might obtain Christ, and be partaker of the blessings only Christ could give. He wasn't informed of the extent of the loss he would endure to follow Christ when he was first saved. His many persecutions recorded in Acts attest to some degree, the severity of his sufferings. He likely was excommunicated by the Jews, more than once, and disowned by his own family. His statement can be said to be "I have made a voluntary choice of Christ, His cross, His poverty, and His reproach; and for these I have freely sacrificed all I had from the world, and all I could expect to gain."
These verses sum up Paul's views of the entire matter. There is nothing in this world, to compare with his desire to seek Christ, to know Him, and to attain the resurrection of the dead.
By losing all that the world calls excellent, he gained Christ, and salvation through Him.
At the end of his life, while awaiting execution by beheading by Caesar Nero, Paul's declaration was one of victory.
2Ti 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
2Ti 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
God had showed him what was to come-he considered himself as being sacrificed, and looks upon his blood as a sacrificial offering, as wine and oil were on the ancient sacrifices. He was ready, and prepared, there is no hint of fear. He recognized this as God's allowance, and will in his life. He no doubt reflected on the night before Jesus' death on the cross, and how He had wrestled in prayer, praying three times for this cup to pass, but finally surrendering, and giving the solemn proclamation "Thy will, be done". Paul had laid down his life in surrender, in the same manner.
Now, the crown of righteousness awaited him. Justified, not by any works of his, but by his faith alone. The crown of righteousness that awaited him, also awaits all those, who follow his path.
Those who echo his words-"Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ".
Lorna Couillard