Scripture – ““Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn “ ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’”
Matthew 10:34-36 NIV
Observation – Jesus is telling his disciples that loyalty to him is more important than peace with people, even our family. If a person is ever put in a position where they have to choose to follow Jesus or remain in a good relationship with their family, who hates Jesus, they should always choose Jesus.
Application – One of the reasons we read scripture, memorize verses and study the Old Testament and the New Testament is so we can share our faith with non-believers. When a person reacts emotionally to your commitment to Jesus we want to be in a position to ask them what they believe and why; how did they come to the conclusion that their option about Jesus is true. After they have shared with us we then have the opportunity to tell them about manuscript evidence, archaeological evidence, predictive prophecy and the synergy of scripture. If a person is willing to listen they will hear a testimony of how Jesus freed us from the power of sin and will understand that he isn’t a made up person, that he actually lived, healed people of diseases, claimed to be God, died on a cross and rose from the dead. If they are still mad at you, pray for them and be as nice as you can.
Prayer – Lord, I pray every believer would be equipped to give an answer for the reason for the hope that they have in you, and do it gently and with respect. Amen.
What are you doing? Do it better 