“Pastor, why is it that I always struggle to check up on my brothers and even parents, but when it comes to my church members, I call them almost everyday? They now think I don’t love them”
What you’re going through is not new, it actually began with Jesus Himself. He was told that his mother and brothers had come to visit him, and while you’d think that he’d quickly excuse the congregation of people he was teaching, He gave a response that revealed one of the most difficult parts of Christianity. Let’s see how scriptures put it.
Luke 8:
19 Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press.
20 And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.
21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.
I wasn’t joking when I said this is one of the most difficult parts of Christianity, a life that places priority on your Christian family over your natural family. While you may think that nothing can come between the blood bond you share with your family, you have to realize that as Christians, we’re also bound by blood, the very blood of Christ.
That’s right! A stronger blood is speaking. While a natural blood creates a bond between natural families, the blood of Christ creates a supernatural bond between believers. Except your natural brother is also a practicing Christian, any man that loves his natural brother more than he loves a practicing Christian brethren hasn’t really submitted to the faith.
This is not a sermon that many people will like to hear, and not many preachers would want to talk about it, but it’s the truth of scriptures. No wonder Jesus wasn’t bothered about the disciples leaving their family and following him, there was something greater.
If you’re a practicing Christian, then praying for the salvation or your natural family should be a priority. Just because they’re your natural family in the kingdom of earth doesn’t mean they’d be your family in the kingdom of heaven. As Jesus said, only those who hear the word of God and do it will be qualified to be family with you.
How would you feel when everytime you call your dad or your sibling to talk about your beliefs and they shun you? How would you feel if they continually interrupt your spirituality? You may not get offended, but you’d be drawn away. Even if you’d be committed to them, it won’t be as strong as you’d want it to. You may continue your responsibility to them as a child or a sibling, but the communication may not be as strong. The only thing that will strengthen the communication is if they listen to the words that you preach to them and do it. If care is not taken, you may continue to have disputes and disagreements with them.
In this kingdom, the possibility of forsaken your natural relatives is very normal, especially if they are a threat to what you believe. Peter alongside some other disciples did it. Let’s see how scriptures put it:
Matthew 19:
27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
Did you see that? Peter said they had forsaken everything they had, including their families, to follow him. While you’d think that Jesus will tell them to go back to their natural family, He told them that it was a step in the right direction. If the restrain you feel is for His name’s sake, then you should know that it is normal.
Having said that, ensure you always walk in love towards your natural family. No man can come to Jesus except the Father draws him. Not everybody will encounter Jesus at the same time – no matter how much you preach and pray for them. Despite this, love never fails. Every other strategy to get them saved might fail, but love will not. Love may take time to bring forth the fruit you desire, but it will eventually bring the result.
While showing love, remember that it’s not you who died for them, it’s Jesus. So let your show of love always broadcast or promote Jesus in their heart. If they know the love is coming from Jesus, then it becomes easy for the Holy Spirit to work on their heart. If you keep broadcasting yourself in your show of love, it may be difficult to win them over.
I hope this has brought enlightenment to someone.
Remain ever blessed, in Jesus precious name!
#EmekaAnslem
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