| Family First? |
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Many people believe that Christianity is a religion of peace. That is certainly true. But, why did Jesus say that he did not come to bring peace but a sword? Jesus explained what he meant, that faith sometimes divides families. Jesus warned his first students that they would have enemies right within their own families. Are we any different today?
How sad it is when a marriage partner opposes our faith, or if a son or daughter rebels against the beliefs of their parents. Yet, that is a function of faith. It was in faith that God allowed our first parents to choose an opposing way of life, and it is in faith that we allow dearly beloved family members to choose a way of life that conflicts with everything we stand for. It tests our real priorities. Family is a very high priority for Christians, but it is not family first. It is God first. 10:34 "Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 10:35 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; 10:36 and a man's foes will be those of his own household. 10:37 He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 10:38 and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 10:39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.
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