Putting Jesus first
“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.” Lk 14:26
In the Christian classic book, Pilgrim’s Progress, Christian (so was his name), after reading the Bible and was convicted of his sin, was running away from a city doomed to destruction. He had invited his wife and children to flee with him but they refused, and they try to discourage him from fleeing. He had no choice than to leave them behind and flee for his life. His wife and children were crying after him to stop, yet he will not stop and continue to flee. This is what Jesus meant by hating father, mother, wife, children, and even your own life. The matter of salvation and eternity is a deeply urgent one.
In Genesis 19, the two angels sent to destroy the city of Sodom and Gomorrah, because of the wickedness of the people of the city, warned Lot and his family to escape for their life, and not to look back. “And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.” vv 17.
Why are people not forsaking the things of this world and following Jesus Christ? It is because they are only seeing the temporal luxury of this world. “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen [are] temporal; but the things which are not seen [are] eternal.” 2Co 4:18.
For you to follow Jesus Christ, you have to put him on priority over all other relationships in your life. Not only that, you have to prioritize Jesus over your own life and desires. This is what is meant to be a disciple of Christ.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, please help me to follow you and put you first over all things in my life.
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