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TODAY’S WORD…

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Jesus said,

“Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth!

I came not to bring peace, but a sword.

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‘I have come to set a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
Your enemies will be right in your own household!’”

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– Matthew 10:34-36 (NLT)

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REFLECTION…

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Jesus Himself helps us reflect further on these words of His,

which may shock us at first,

but which are of fundamental importance to those who want to follow Him.

Jesus explains:

“If you love your father or mother more than you love me,

you are not worthy of being mine;

or if you love your son or daughter more than me,

you are not worthy of being mine.

If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me,

you are not worthy of being mine.

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If you cling to your life, you will lose it;

but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.” (Mat 10:37-39)

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Jesus is clearly telling us

that even where, on the surface, what appears to motivate us is love for others,

we must be extremely wary of our innate selfishness

which can result in self-centred reasoning.

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Tranquillity and peace at any cost?

Absolutely not! Not unless we are prepared to lose our soul in the process.

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Compassion?

Yes, always and in every circumstance,

but we must never forget

that showing Christian compassion does not mean having to compromise with God’s Law.
God is above all else, and above everything else.

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It is the same when it comes to our own parents; to our own sons and daughters.

Christ-like compassion always,

but we must never let our love for our parents and for our children blind us

to the extent that we place them ahead of God.

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A true follower of Christ must adhere to His teachings,

while always acting in a spirit of gentleness and compassion.

The reaction to this attitude which Jesus wants us to take

is often one of hurtful mockery and even hate.

This is the cross we must be prepared to carry in order to truly follow Christ.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Lord, make me strong in faith – and prepared to give up my life for You.

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