Truth is relative in the minds of post-Christian, post-modern and Emergent type "followers" of Christ. The authentic Truth is under attack and often by our very own family members and closest friends. Finding a friend who believes what Proverbs 27:6 says is simply quite rare now days:
Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.
It is rare that a believer holds to the Truth in absolute fact, value and doctrine in all places, situations and relationships. You are more apt to hear family and friends say, "That may be true for you, but it is not necessarily true for me." Truth has become relative (not permanently fixed, but having a meaning or value that can only be established in relation to something else)! What is this something else? Satan? For I know that he does NOT understand Truth because he is denied the reality of it. I am not aware of a third power that Truth can be compared to - outside of the self-life, which is a manifestation of the character of Satan. What has happened to the days of knowing the difference between right and wrong? Remember when it was considered honorable to wound a friend with Truth in order to save his life or the life of one of his family members?
Matthew 10:34-38 is the greatest test of love for any human who claims to have asked Jesus into their mortal lives through the Holy Spirit - Salvation. I know of few who will sacrifice relationship in order to have the Truth spoken. I can see dedicated Christians sacrificing superficial relationships for speaking the Truth, but family and close friends? No! In thirty-five years of ministry, I can count that level of dedicated Christians on one hand.
Since the popular subject of the Emergent Church has flooded the headlines of Christianity today, I have had many "Christians" ask me what the simplest definition of the Emergent Church is. Based on the the Biblical definition of the church of Laodicea, a lukewarm church person, or “Christian,” sacrifices the absolute Truth of God the Father, God the Son & God the Holy Spirit for personal relationship. This kind of person might find themselves face to face with Jesus hearing this:
Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.' Matthew 7:22-23
How many "Christians" do you really know that hear the Word of God (the Truth) and takes action on His Words no matter what the cost – i.e. losing a family member or close friend? Would you sacrifice your relationship with your parents, spouse, child or "best-friend" for the holy purpose of standing on the Truth?
What did Christ mean by His statement?
Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
To some, those are words of permission to fight with guns and swords to protect the reputation of Jesus Christ. This passage is actually a set up for a deeper question asked later in the same passage. Jesus is making it quite clear that the relationship He holds with believers is THE most important agenda item in that believer's life and the glue to keep us "abiding" in that relationship is standing on Truth. There are few passages where Christ addresses the issue of "being worthy" of relationship with Himself. Since Grace is the bridge to this Truth, the topic of being worthy of a relationship with Christ is rarely spoken of. Well dear reader - you had better listen up!
For I came 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 MAN'S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD.
Jesus came to actually set the believer against any relationship that holds more loyalty (love) and dedication than that required of Christianity. This passage is classified by most theologians as one of the least preached passages in the entire Bible. Hummmm - I wonder why? I mean seriously, who really wants to sacrifice family and friends for Jesus? In this emergent, mushy, feel good society that we live in today - we could be arrested and charged with a "hate crime" for living out the Matthew passage. G-whiz, our kids might even rise up to . . .
Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. Matthew 10:21
If family members will "sell out" their beloved because of being confronted with Truth - don't you think your "dear friend" will? Dear reader - it is time to stop people pleasing for the sake of the gospel! It is time to take the risk of persecution and loss of relationship. I have been personally threatened by government, the courts, friends and even family members for speaking the Truth. I have been a part of court cases where children have sued their parents for religious abuse because the parents required the teen to sit at the dinner table for devotions - and in one incident, the parents lost the case! Surprised? Not me!! Jesus warned us and placed a mandate in place to prepare us for such cultural divisions.
The warning: He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
The mandate: And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
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