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I have had people ask me, a number of times, “How on earth can God expect me to love Him more than I love my children, my wife, or myself? It is totally unreasonable and, in my opinion, just cannot be done!"
That sounds like a pretty good question and attitude, and in one way it is. But just bear with me while we look into the matter. I promise you some answers that you can live with if you’ll just keep an open mind. First of all lets look at the scriptures which command what we are studying. The first one we want to look at is in Exodus 20:5-6 when God is giving to Moses the 10 commandments. This being the 3rd one, referring to false gods, graven images, etc.. “Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments."
I suppose the first one which hits directly on our subject is found in Matthew 10:37, referring to Jesus, who was God in the flesh . “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."
John 13:14: “If ye love me, keep my commandments."
Now, watch this one and think about it: “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." (John 14:21)
John 14:23: “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."
Now, in reference to Matthew 10:37 above. The word, “loveth" is from the Greek filwn “Phileo" (fil-eh'-o) and it has multiple distinct meanings, one of which is “to approve of". Another is “to like".
And, there is one which is, “to treat affectionately or kindly, to welcome, befriend."
There are also instances where love for God and God’s love for man comes from the Greek word ajgavph “Agape" (ag-ah'-pay) and the primary meanings of this word are “brotherly love, affection, good will, love, benevolence"
No scripture anywhere means or infers that you are to have the physical emotions or affection towards Jesus or God, as that towards your family. Now, let us try and sort out and explain as closely as possible, just what the above scriptures do mean. As closely as I can personally describe the love we are to have towards God and His Son, Jesus is…“Respect and Awe“. Appreciation for what they have done on our behalf, and a desire to show these feelings to others. A DESIRE to obey them, not only in one or two points but in all points described in God’s word. Awe because of the greatness of this Spirit. Omnipotent (unlimited strength or power), Omniscient (Unlimited knowledge, knowing every thing there is to be known…everything), Omnipresent (presence which transcends space, all encompassing). If you accept the existence of God and consider these characteristics, there should be no problems of having the utmost respect and awe for such a being.
How then does the verse of Matthew 10:37 apply to us? . “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."
The intense natural affection we hold for our children, and/or parents is not threatened here. We don’t have the desire to hold Jesus on our knee or to get down in the floor and play with Him.
The application for this verse is simply that, you respect (love) Jesus to the extent that you are willing to obey and serve Him regardless. If this should divide you from your parents, then so be it. You don’t have to stop loving them but you must never allow them, or your children, or anyone else, to draw you away from serving the Almighty God in complete submission and obedience.
Anyone can assuredly accept this form of love towards God and His Son. It even behooves us to do everything possible to convert any of our family who would hinder us from serving Him. There are numerous other things which this awesome respect for God places obligation upon us. Read the passage above from John 13:14 again. The destructive doctrines promulgated by many are totally unbiblical and will lead anyone to eternal punishment. Those that say all one has to do is believe on Jesus Christ. Or similarly, that faith alone will carry you straight into heaven.
Can we not read that little verse mentioned above and see that we have to be obedient to biblical teachings in order to show our love? Read all of those verses above again. “So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10: 17)
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Hebrews 11:6) What does the underlined phrase mean?
The faith being referred to is not just believing that God exists and that Jesus was His son, but rather, believing the entire bible. Which, being interpreted is that we believe what they say to do and therefore we must do them. James 2:19 says: “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." Will the devils make it to heaven?
Many will yell that we cannot meet every requirement, we will sin some regardless. Yes, that is true but it is here where God’s grace comes in. If we do our very best, those inadvertent sins will not be credited to us. But if we attempt to just go our merry way, never studying to see what we should do, never worrying but that God will just automatically forgive us for all sins, think again.
But if we walk in the light (word), as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth (Continues to clean-JH) us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)
I plan to soon write an article on “How Much Knowledge Of The Bible Must We Have?", as a continuation of the above thoughts.
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