Ask Abel who killed him…His brother Cain. (Genesis 4)
Ask Leah who envied and competed with her…Her own sister Rachel. (Genesis 30)
Ask Jonathan who tried to harm him...His Father Saul. (1 Samuel 20)
Ask Jacob who convinced him to lie…His mother Rebekah. (Genesis 27)
Ask Tamar who raped her...Her half-brother Amnon. (2 Samuel 13)
Ask Esau who stole his birthright…His brother Jacob. (Genesis 25)
Ask Joash who ordered his execution...His grandmother Athaliah (2 Kings 11)
Ask Joseph who sold him into slavery...His brothers. (Genesis 37)
Ask David who didn’t see him worthy enough to be King...His father (1 Samuel 16)
Ask God who was the first people He told man to leave...His parents. (Genesis 2:24)
There is a reason why Jesus told His own disciples if it comes down to it, choose me over your family. (Luke 14:26)
It’s important to recognize that not everyone comes from a healthy lineage; some carry burdens that can be overwhelming. Some descendance come with demons. Sometimes our greatest enemies bleed in the bloodline. When this is the reality, in some cases we become orphans for embracing the Will of God over the Will of the family. This isn’t a criticism of family; after all, God designed the family unit for our benefit. However, society often prioritizes family above all else. Jesus reminds us that as children of God, He must take precedence. His truth should be our guiding principle. What is healthy and right comes first, because we cannot serve two masters.
"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord.]" -Matthew 6:24
Some families want the throne over God, and Joshua reminded us, when this takes place, we must make a decision.
"If it is unacceptable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served, that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you live; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." - Joshua 24:15
Who did Jesus say would be our worst enemies...Our Relatives. (Matthew 10:38)
Who rejected Jesus…His Hometown and even his own relatives. (Matthew 13)
Jesus doesn’t ask us to do anything He hasn’t faced Himself. His own brothers didn’t acknowledge His divinity until after the crucifixion, and even his closest neighbors and childhood friends overlooked His anointing. At times, when His family was fearful for Him due to His bold speeches to the crowds, He turned their worries into a profound lesson: those who do the will of God are truly His family, not those consumed by concern for Him.
There’s a reason Satan encourages us to idolize our families—to elevate blood ties over the blood of Jesus. Familial bondage is real, and this is why Satan wants to keep you from believing you have other options for a healthy family structure. God, in His wisdom, understood that the authority of family would often compete with His own. In fact, He made it clear that in the end times, families would be divided due to this very truth.
"He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me, and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me." - Matthew 10:37
"Do not think that I have come to bring peace on the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword [of division between belief and unbelief]. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and a man's enemies will be the members of His [own] household [when one believes and the other does not]." - Matthew 10:24-36
So why are we so shocked and dismayed when we see estrangements in our modern times?
I believe that the root of our shock lies in our tendency to idolize familial bonds. We often place greater importance on earthly births than on our spiritual rebirths. This concept is reflected in the phrase "born again" (John 3:3). When we embrace faith, we experience a transformative rebirth and a shift in our priorities. In moments when the world makes us feel trapped, God reassures us that we still have a choice. This is evident in His words: "...let the spiritually dead bury the dead" (Matthew 8:22). He continually reminds us that regardless of our origins, the path we choose is ultimately up to each of us, shaped by the decisions we make in life.
Breaking free from the past can often mean severing ties with our bloodlines. It’s a challenging burden to carry, yet the comforting truth is that God does not abandon us as orphans, even in moments when we find ourselves compelled to detach from family bonds.
"And I will be a Father to you, And you will be My sons and daughters," Says the Lord Almighty." - 2 Corinthians 6:18
This serves as a reminder of the importance of our brothers and sisters in the church. God has placed them in our lives, especially during times when we may feel like outcasts even within our own homes.
"For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven [by believing in Me, and following Me] is My brother and sister and mother." - Matthew 12:50
Though we strive to live by the principle found in Romans 12:18—"If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone"—the stories within God's word serve as poignant reminders that this isn’t always achievable. And when it isn't, it’s perfectly acceptable to step away.
Sincerely, Selena
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