Matthew 10:21 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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Matthew 10:21

Comments

There is often family hatred when people are converted. You are very blessed if you grow up in a Christian family, but among others often there is hatred: that parent, or child has found the Lord and wants to live as a Christian! This is the case especially where other another religion is involved. Many religions do not grant the freedom to choose what God we worship. In addition, Satan has manipulated culture so that to differ from it in the smallest degree is regarded as a great insult against culture. It becomes a matter of intense pride that no one may bring dishonour on the family by deserting the family religion. So strong is this feeling that the converted person may be put out of the family, or even put to death. The strongest of all relationships on earth will be abandoned rather than accepting this perceived betrayal. In fact, given the opportunity, the converted person would have far greater love for the family and kindness towards it as a believer than they ever did before, but the opportunity to prove this may be denied. Satan may even engineer persecution against believers. He may cause those in authority to create a climate of fear in which one family member is pressurised to betray another. Few are able to resist these fears. And no effort will be spared to blame the convert for the fracturing of family bond that occurs. There will be little understanding that freedom of conscience is essential, that religion is worth nothing unless it is voluntary, that worship by compulsion is not true worship at all. Some may remain in their religion of birth not because they love the truths it has taught them, or delight in the ways of that religion, but because they are afraid to search for the truth. How unsatisfying is that: an adherence to a religion that means nothing to the individual. How different is the gospel, and how different is the true disciple of Christ! He follows where his delight leads him. He gains continually, growing in understanding, and holiness, and usefulness, and thankfulness.

Application

Those who are converted should expect trouble especially from those closest to you. Be careful. You must not hide what has happened to you, and you must aim to tell those you love about the gospel, but this must be done with much wisdom. Pray and in time attitudes may change. With the passage of time things change. Perhaps, before conversion, you were a youngster who went off the rails and was brought back as a result of being converted. You might expect your family to be pleased, but take your time over your witness. Don’t rush like a bull at a gate, or you may close the ears of family members for years to come.

Family members will cause family members to be put to death, and yet Christ who knows this will happen does not see this as too high a price to pay. He is willing that some should lose their lives for his sake. He has laid down his life for us; we too must be prepared to lay down their lives out of loyalty to him, if that is that circumstances require. Such martyrs will not lose by their loyalty to Christ. They will receive their reward. And the true character of the world will be exposed.

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Matthew 10:21 Commentary and Bible Study