““Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
What does it mean to follow Jesus? For Him to be Lord in our lives?
For much it means the lesser dominant way. The different story. Counter cultural and along the narrow way.
Denying self and loving the other more is counter world culture. They are verses repeated in each of the four gospels.
‘’And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”
It also forewarns of bringing antagonism between even households if the understanding is not in place that by loving and following Jesus first has the knock on effect of making us more serving and loving and therefore better in father, mother, brother etc relationships because that quality is the best for being prioritised.
“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. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”
We choose on a daily basis to love who we put first and honour.
In reality in our Christian walk we can, by doing so, occupy a hostile position and there can be opposition and resistance.
There is a different value system in the kingdom to that in the world
“Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,””
It is radicle to push against the flow and be different.
Being noticeable is sometimes our greatest witness and attracts greater attention than any bible bashing commentary.
Living like Christ is replicating Him doing what He saw His Father doing.
We are the dwelling place of the most high. He abides in us on our best and our worst days.
It is disturbing and discomforting to sense that we put Him under any compromise.
We are a witness to Him from the moment we awake to the time we go to sleep. The world sees God through our window.
We make no apology for being a child of God and we are happy to share Jesus with others. His presence with us wherever we go.
There is a joy in being in the midst of the function we were made for albeit a narrow road.
The illustration shows the narrow Way, Jesus, the Sword cutting away evil and emanating light that pushes back the darkness.
Seven Scriptures that come to mind:
““Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Matthew 10:34 ESV
“And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:38 ESV
“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10:39 ESV
““Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.” Matthew 10:40 ESV
“And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” Luke 9:23-24 ESV
“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. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:35-37 ESV
“Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,”. 1 Corinthians 3:18-19 ESV
The song Forever YHWH. Elevation
Lessisgreater 