Luke 14:26, “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.”
Observation:
Jesus told a story about a man giving a big dinner and a long list of guests RSVP’d. But when it came time to actually go to the dinner, they all made excuses as to why they couldn’t come. One bought land, another some oxen, and a third got married. Jesus then spoke these words about the priority of God in our lives. He said you can’t love other things and other people more than God. He used the word “hate” — you have to hate those closest to you — but I know He isn’t literally saying hate them because in other places he says don’t hate, but love, even your enemy. What He was doing was making a comparison. Compared to the love you have for God, the love you have for others should pale to the point that it isn’t even close. The hardest part is to love God more than yourself — more than your way, your advancement, your comfort or your pleasure. To be Christ’s disciple meant making no excuses though. It means going all in and all out for God.
Application:
What is it or who is it that sits as the biggest rival to God for my love and devotion? To me it is clearly my wife, kids, and definitely self. But the requirement of me, if I want to come to Christ and be His disciple, is that I learn to love Him and show devotion to Him more than anything or anyone. Part of that means I need to love God so much that it affects the way I live with my wife and treat my kids. Another part of that means I need to die to my own ways, plans and direction and live for God more than I live for me.
Prayer:
Father, I need your help in learning to love you like this. I want to come to you and I want to follow you. Please don’t let me use my wife and kids as an excuse not to walk in your way. Lord if you call me, that means you are calling them and will provide for them as we live under your command. But God my greatest battle is with myself. I am so self-centered in so much of my life. I confess that and seek your mercy and grace. Please grow my love for You so that I love You more than I love me. Today, Lord, help me to choose Your way over mine without excuse.
— Chip Henderson, senior pastor
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