Dream Haters: Family Feuds

If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:26 (NIV)

Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. How can the 'Prince of Peace' (Isaiah 9:6) order such things? Here's how:

  • Our 'Wonderful Counselor' is also 'The Sun of Righteousness' (Malachi 4:2), burning wrong orders.

  • He is 'That Spiritual Rock' (1 Corinthians 10:4), crushing wrong values.

  • He is the 'Chief Cornerstone' (1 Peter 2:6) of a new Covenant, the 'High Priest' (Hebrews 3:1) of a new church and 'The Firstborn' (Romans 8:29) of a new family.

Among his early disciples and fans, Jesus was a tough-to-follow Teacher. Recall one hard-to-understand lesson on communion, and most didn’t get it:

'This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?' (John 6:60). 

Consequently, a group of followers no longer followed! 'From this time many of His disciples turned back...' (John 6:66).

Actors, models, and talent for Christ:

God is clear about family duties:

  • Kids obey parents. Wives respect husbands.

  • Husbands sacrifice themselves for their wives.

  • Dads must be patient (not harsh) with children.

  • Kin must care for their less fortunate kin.

  • Orphans, widows, and strangers need our help.

  • When our family fails us, God provides! *

But above them all, we must love God first. 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' (Luke 10:27).

If He loved us enough to sacrifice His only begotten Son on a Cross, must we not return this priceless favor?

Must we not prefer Him to our own kin? Many Bible stars faced family feuds (and God eventually changed their hearts.) BUT… His stars stayed on their God-given paths.

Maybe or surely…

  • Abraham’s dad didn’t want him to go, but God ordered him to the Promised Land.

  • Some of Mary’s kin thought her immoral, but God chose the virgin to bear His Son.

  • Peter’s wife had to spend some time alone, but God took care of her and her mother!

  • Paul’s former friends hated and hunted him, but God had a BIG evangelism plan!

Here's another thing:

God will care for us AND OUR FAMILIES (better than we can)… if following Him requires leaving them TEMPORARILY.

So don't let family feuds pull you down. Walk God’s path! Be faithful! Be encouraged!

Joseph's despicably hateful brothers would become Israel’s Founding Fathers.

Not only were they all reunited, but their family was greatly multiplied… as your own family will multiply… to a size only God could imagine!

Dream Haters: Family Feuds (Part 8)

* 'My mother and My brothers are these who hear the Word of God and do it' (Luke 8:21).

* 'When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me' (Psalm 27:10).

* 'The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit' (Psalm 34:18).

* 'God sets the lonely in families' (Psalm 68:6).

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.

Carey Arban