Life

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

LIFE

Matt 10:34-39

34 "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn

"'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— 36 a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'  

37 "Anyone who loves 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; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

NIV

Jesus is quoting from the prophet Micah about family turning against each other. We also see  this is about the fruit of the Spirit in regard to peace, yet that may well be peace with God rather than with man. We have peace in our heart because we are no longer at war against God and we are no longer objects of his wrath. But because of the gospel we will not have peace with other people, especially this might apply within our own family. It is not that we get into a slug fest or a knock down drag out fight to the death, but there is also no real peace. There is always a strange sense of opposition regarding God. It appears Jesus left out husband and wife in this discord within a family. But what we can be sure of is that when a person finds Jesus, it does not mean the rest of their family does as well. Jesus also did not mention nieces and nephews or cousins or other extended family members. What we can be sure of is that there will be some discord within a family because of Jesus. One will love Jesus, the other the world. What harmony can there be between the two. Although we are told to live in harmony with each other, it may not be possible.

Rom 12:14-19

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

NIV

For we are also told there can be no peace, no harmony between believers and non-believers.

2 Cor 6:14-16

14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."  

NIV

We mostly think about this in regards to the world, the ways of the world, those awful sinners who hate God. But that also means those very nice good people who live without Jesus as their Lord and Savior. That also applies to family members who we love. There is going to be some members of our family who decide not to follow Jesus. We still love them, but we do not have Jesus in common with them and thus there is going to be some sense of separation between us. It is not like we can sit down and talk about the things of God with them, for they do not believe and do not want to hear about him. They, however want to talk about the things of the world, their beliefs in evolution, climate change, or whatever else someone has made up that confronts the whole idea of God. Although we get along, living in a sense of mutual love, there is really no true peace with them. There will always be a sort of distance, a feeling of constant tension. But no matter what happens within the family, we have to stay our course. Although we love our family, we must love Jesus more. We cannot afford to be drawn away by anyone. Some of them might present some very persuasive or compelling arguments to support their beliefs, siting science, or what they believe are reputable sources to prove themselves right. They will say we cannot use the bible to prove the bible, yet they use science to prove science. The point is we must always stay the course, no matter what anyone says. We know Jesus, we have experienced his power in our lives, and we have experienced his divine healing, his peace, his love, his joy. We know we sit in the heavenly realms already. People who do not know Jesus might think they are living the good life, chasing after the things of the world, success, fame and fortune, intellectual prowess, all the humanistic qualities of this world. But they have in actuality lost their lives, they will ultimately perish. We give up chasing after the things of this world, we chase after Jesus. We know that verse so well about seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. In doing so we put Jesus first, but also in doing so he will see to it that we have what we need to live in this world. This is taking up our cross and following him. There is a cost to discipleship. That might be slightly different for each one of us, but it is going to cost us. Yet in losing our life in this world, we have gained eternal life. By taking up our cross and following Jesus we will be truly living, not as the world lives, but as Jesus lives; eternally. We have to face the reality we might be the only one in our family who is a believer. Maybe two or three of us, but just as Noah had to stand in the door of the ark and knew that some of his family, his brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, cousins were going to perish, we must face that same truth as we stand in the cross.