Matthew 10:32-42 "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn
'a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law -
a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'
Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly no lose his reward."
At first glance this might seem to go against many of the Bible's teachings - love your enemies, etc. However, we must remember that this world is ruled by Satan. The ways of the world are not the ways of God. Therefore when the passage pits sons against fathers and daughters against mothers, it is speaking of turning from the world and putting everything you have in God and trusting him above all else. The reference to bringing a sword and not peace should not be overlooked. Jesus never said that it would be easy or without strife - we are in a war against the world and its ruler... God's spirit is both a lamb and a lion - which side you see has more to do with your heart and your obedience to him. There are times when we will be forced to go against our loved ones, if they are not following God's will. When we choose to follow God's will and turn away from the ways of the world, we must realize it will cost us somethings and it will not be easy... Jesus died for us to have a chance to live, we choose to follow but must not forget the cost.
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