love for Christ and love for relatives in collision
May 19, 2021•369 words
“I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.” [Luke 9:61] The answer he received shows plainly that the man’s heart was not yet thoroughly engaged in Christ’s service and that he was therefore unfit to be a disciple. But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” [v. 62]
We learn from this saying that it is impossible to serve Christ with a divided heart. If we are looking back at anything in this world, then we are not fit to be disciples. Those who look back, like Lot’s wife, want to go back. Jesus will not share His throne with anyone – no, not with our dearest relatives. He must have all our heart or none of it.
No doubt we are to honor father and mother and love all those around us. But when love for Christ and love for relatives come in collision, Christ must have the preference. We must be ready, like Abraham, if needs be, to leave our kindred for Christ’s sake. We must be prepared in case of necessity, like Moses, to turn our backs even on those who have brought us up, if God calls us and the path of duty is plain.
Such decided conduct may entail great trials on our affections. It may crush our hearts to go contrary to the opinions of those we love. But such conduct may sometimes be positively necessary to our salvation, and without it, when it becomes necessary, we are unfit for the kingdom of God.
The good soldier will not allow his heart to be entangled too much with his home. If he daily gives way to unmanly wimperings about those he has left behind him, then he will never be fit for a battle. His present duties – the watching, the marching, the fighting – must have the principal place in his thoughts.
So must it be with all who would serve Christ. They must beware of softness spoiling their characters as Christians. They must endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ.
—J.C. Ryle, ‘Expository Thoughts on Luke’