“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 10:37.
It's so often assumed that a genuine Christian loves everyone and “gets along” with at least nearly all, but a closer study shows that it didn't happen for Jesus, and isn't taught in the Bible. So don't be surprised if your walk with Christ brings about contention with others, even some of those who claim to have like Christian Faith. Today there's a tremendous push for UNITY above all else, and usually has little or no regard for scriptural guidelines; yet when WE stand up for the Bible's teachings it often brings criticism.
“Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.” -Isaiah 66:5. Bold type added for emphasis.
Rather than unity, God's Word is clear about NOT being unified with unbelief; even to the point of separating from others who may cry, “Lord, Lord,” and do many mighty works in His name (Matthew 7:20-23). Jesus said, “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.” -Luke 6:22.
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” -Romans 16:17.
But as tough as these conflicts may be with those we think are fellow believers, the pressure only increases if they come from within your biological family; and although your family might be unsaved, you may still be pressed upon by other Christians to “get along” with them, supposedly as a good witness for Jesus. It's at times like these we must cling tightly to God's Word for direction.
“But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.” -1 Corinthians 7:17.
“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.” -Romans 8:33.
Jesus knows how demanding family relations can be, and says a lot about them through His Word; to summarize in a nutshell, the Lord doesn't want us to grant favorable status or treatment for close blood relations above anyone else. Far from promoting special unity for family, or within homes, Jesus made it clear in Luke 12:51&52 when He declared,
“51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.”
Suffice it to say, God really wants any home unity to be founded upon His will and His Word. Jesus made clear what matters to Him in how He received His family when they came to see Him,and responded like this in Mark 3:31-35, Luke 8:19-21, and here from Matthew 12:47-50;
“47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. 48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” Bold type in verse 50 added to emphasize.
It seems strange for anyone to think that a Christian must unconditionally get along well with his family, when we already know of many who have left other religions for Jesus at the cost of being disowned by their families. In defense of keeping peace, some may turn to Romans 12:18 for support where it says,
“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” Bold type added.
But to use this verse in order to justify never having conflicts is to misuse the opening condition of, “If it be possible.” Jesus said that we must live by EVERY Word of God (Luke 4:4), and we are bound to obey those words at all times, and not break them simply to gain men's favor. Luke 6:26 says;
“Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.”
“Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” -1 Corinthians 7:23.
This bent of the Church toward unity comes from keeping our eyes on Bible teachers and trusting them, instead of studying the scriptures for ourselves; the Bereans did this, and were commended for it in Acts 17:10&11, a practice we should be embracing;
“10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
The practice that the Bereans employed can also help us to know when our contentions are Godly, or merely fleshly. Yet if they ARE in Christ, let us never be ashamed, or alter our course because we run into contentions. When we meet conflicts such as these, we're only entering into the same labors of the Godly men and women who went before us-a list that includes our Savior! Let's stand our ground in the Lord!
“12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” -1 Peter 4:12,13.
I also have a YouTube video titled Faiths Family Feuds and a short titles Faith, Friends and Family Feuds.
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