At Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes, we are called to “Be the change as Jesus has changed us.” This mission challenges us to prioritize Jesus above all else in our lives. In a recent sermon, we explored the difficult yet essential teaching of loving Jesus more than our families and personal desires. This post delves into the meaning of this teaching and how it aligns with our mission to “Study” to love and know God.
Understanding Radical Allegiance
In Luke 14:26, Jesus makes a striking statement about hating one’s family to be His disciple. This is not a call to literal hatred but a call to prioritize our love for Jesus above all else. The Hebrew understanding of this passage is to “love less.” Matthew 10:37 clarifies this by stating, “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.”
At Lakeview, we emphasize the importance of “Study” to love and know God deeply. This involves making Jesus the highest priority in our lives, even above our closest relationships. When following Jesus conflicts with pleasing our family or pursuing personal dreams, Jesus must come first. This radical allegiance is not about diminishing our love for others but about elevating our love for Christ.
The Challenge of Prioritization
Prioritizing Jesus requires intentionality and commitment. It means evaluating our lives and making difficult choices when our allegiance to Christ conflicts with other aspects of our lives. This is where the “Study” aspect of our mission comes into play. By immersing ourselves in God’s Word and seeking His guidance, we can better understand how to align our lives with His will.
Conclusion
The call to prioritize Jesus above all is a challenging yet rewarding journey. At Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes, we are committed to “Be the change” by making Jesus our number one priority. Through “Study,” we can deepen our relationship with God and align our lives with His purpose. Let us embrace this call and strive to live lives that reflect our radical allegiance to Christ.
