Death & Life

If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, “Let us go and worship other gods” . . . Do not spare them or shield them. You must certainly put them to death. Deuteronomy 13:6-9

How are we to deal with a text where God calls for one to kill family members if they try to draw you away from God? I am not sure. I would begin by listening to Jesus speak to the topic saying that to follow him one must be willing to choose God over family (no killing though). The common thread is the danger of one putting anything in one’s life ahead of their relationship with God. If we walk away from God we destroy ourselves. We need God that much. Perhaps I do best to look at the flip side of this coin. Maybe this is a call for me to devote myself to drawing those I love who do not follow Jesus to hear his voice. What if I began by telling them how important Jesus is to me and that I am concerned for them – and that I pray for them.