20151029 ACKNOWLEDGE OR DENY

ACKNOWLEDGE OR DENY

Matthew 10:32-42 "Everyone who acknowledges Me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before My Father in heaven.  (33)  But everyone who denies Me here on earth, I will also deny before My Father in heaven.  (34)  "Don't imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword.  (35)  '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.  (36)  Your enemies will be right in your own household!'  (37)  "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.  (38)  If you refuse to take up your cross and follow Me, you are not worthy of being Mine.  (39)  If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for Me, you will find it.  (40)  "Anyone who receives you receives Me, and anyone who receives Me receives the Father who sent Me.  (41)  If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs.  (42)  And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of My followers, you will surely be rewarded."

Sadly, verses 32 and 33 are probably the two most quoted scriptures on social media. They usually accompany some heart wrenching story and a rant about denying Jesus if you don’t like and share the story with the whole world. However, Jesus explains what He’s talking about in verses 34-42.

Jesus brought a sword that divides people, not by family lines but by faith lines. (I’m not talking about denominational lines here.) It divides believers and unbelievers. People of the same household will turn against those who choose Jesus Christ. So, if your daughter, son, parent or even spouse threatens to leave you over your faith, to deny Him would be to choose them over Him.

To refuse to take up your cross and follow Him is to deny Him. What that means for each person is different. (See John 21:18-23)

Clinging to “your” life is to deny Him. Laying down your life, that is, your desires, your treasures, your time is to follow and to acknowledge Him as Lord.

Receiving and caring for the children of God is acknowledging Him.

Father in heaven, may we be found acknowledging You. May we honor and love You more than we love our family, our life. Lead us by the power of Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!