Family life over God
An obsessive attachment in today’s families exceeds faith, religion, and any other practice in life. There is an increase in family life occurring today more than in times before. Diversified family-style living such as interracial, same-sex, and cohabiting has increased drastically over the years. The pandemic instilled the idea that the home is the place of worship and that family comes first. The idea that God comes first has been losing ground as our generations evolve. God’s position is de-escalating from first, to second, to third, and if I have time in importance. God’s place value in our lives should be first. Jesus cited the first commandment in Mark 12 where he said that we need to love the Lord our God with all our hearts (Mk12:30). Seeking God first needs to be at the forefront of our quests in life (Mt6:33). Paul’s statement of I am crucified with Christ (Gal2:20), is a model of the place value of God in one’s life.
Luke 14:26-27
26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
Jesus said we cannot be his disciples if we do not hate those who compose our family nucleus. The word hate mis-eh’-o means to love less. It does not mean not to love, but only to love less. Once a person is invited to the relationship of learner or disciple of God he is required to walk, talk, and look like him and no one else. It is a commitment that one makes without excuse. In the parable of the banquet, the owner of the household sends his servant to invite many guests. Three guests understanding the invitation and the commitment excused themselves from attending (Lk14:16-20). They understood that everything else in their lives would have to wait if they decided to commit themselves to attending the banquet. One said that he needed to test the new land he bought, another said he needed to try the new oxen he purchased, and the other said he needed to attend to his new wife. The three things in our lives that take the most importance are properties, possessions, and relationships.
This concept of commitment traces back to the Old Testament warrior and war. Soldiers were not allowed to go and fight if they had their hearts not on the war but on the things concerning life (Det20:5-8). God assured his people that no matter how big the enemy’s army was he was with them in the battle but they needed to be with God. We become fainthearted when the thought of losing arises in our hearts. Losing the things dear to us, especially those new to us is daunting. Jesus said in John that we cannot allow our hearts to faint and be troubled, but we must believe in God and him (Jh14:1).
Mark 12:30
30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
Matthew 6:33
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Galatians 2:20
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Luke 14:16-20
16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
Deuteronomy 20:5-8
And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it. 6 And what man is he that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not yet eaten of it? let him also go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man eat of it. 7 And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her. 8 And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren’s heart faint as well as his heart.
John 14:1
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.