Can One Make Gods for Himself?

 


Several months ago, Angie and I were having a discussion about loving our kids, and Angie mentioned that a friend of hers from work had made a statement about not making idols of your own family. I don't remember the exact wording of the quote, but I have thought a lot about that statement since I heard it.

As a husband and parent, I know that I would give everything I have for my family, and I believe that most parents would do the same, but Jesus taught a much more difficult statement:

If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters — yes, and even his own life — he cannot be My disciple.
Luke 14:26
Jesus wants me to be willing to give up even my family to follow Him. I do not think that God wants me to literally hate my family, but I do believe that He expects my love for Him to far exceed my love for them.

To the world, it seems respectable and loving to say that I would give everything for my family, and it sounds absolutely absurd to say that I would give my family for God. If I am not willing to put God before my family, then I am trying to make gods for myself, and as much as I love them, they cannot save me in eternity.

I would like to think of it from a different perspective: I want to give my family TO God. If I truly love them, I want them to have the greatest gift ever offered. If I am not willing to give everything I have to show them how much God loves them, then I must truly hate my family. For me, the most important part to remember is that, no matter how much I love my family, God loves them even more, and that is the love that I most want them to have.

Heavenly Father, You have blessed me more than I deserve with an amazing family, and I can never thank you enough for that gift. My thanks is in giving them to you, and I thank you for providing and protecting and loving my family more than I ever can. In the loving name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

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