Message To Smyrna (3)

Family Influence

When we share the same spiritual values, our physical families can lend powerful support to our efforts to live as Christians. When there are competing and differing values, however, there can be pressure to compromise God's truth. Jesus addressed this unpleasant concept saying, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For 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'; and 'a man's enemies will be those of his own household.' 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. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:34-38, see also Micah 7:5-7).

When we turn to God, He expects us to give Him our highest priority and conduct our lives accordingly. Instead of lashing back at those who persecute us, Jesus said, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).

If our physical families do not share our spiritual convictions, we can take comfort that God provides another spiritual family to offer support and encouragement (Matthew 12:47-50).

Monetary Gain

In the parable of the sower, Jesus said “the deceitfulness of riches” caused some to be unfruitful (Matthew 13:22). The lure of wealth or a big salary can be a temptation to forego pleasing God. Paul warns us: “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:9-11).

This instruction about money often comes into effect with our employment. Most of society is unaware of God's seventh-day Sabbath. Many employers expect their employees to work on this day even though God says otherwise (Exodus 20:9-11). Sometimes God's people can be enticed with higher salaries and more income if they will only work on the Sabbath. In the face of such temptation, we need to remember Christ's instruction: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth…but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19-20).

To be contd.


God bless ou all.