When we read the Gospels we realize that the message of Jesus was hard, direct, and absolutely uncompromising. Today, we cannot dilute that message nor soften it to make it more appealing, because what Christ preached confronts our human nature and reminds us that our kingdom is not of this world. His teachings reveal that following Him requires self-denial, sacrifice, and a willingness to suffer for the sake of the gospel.
The message of Christ was so explosive, so countercultural, that it caused division in His time—and it continues to do so today. We must understand something very important: any message that confronts the system of this world will inevitably provoke resistance. Light always disturbs darkness. Truth always confronts lies. And the message of Jesus directly exposed the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees, who presented an appearance of holiness on the outside, but inside were spiritually empty. They valued image more than truth, tradition more than transformation, and religion more than relationship.
Christ said:
37 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.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
Matthew 10:37-39
In short, Jesus is saying: “I must be the center of every man and woman who has decided to be a Christian.” Our faith is not about us—it is about Him. Christianity is not a philosophy of comfort or self-improvement; it is a call to surrender. Jesus did not invite us to a life of ease but to a life of obedience and daily consecration.
To love Christ above all things does not mean we despise our families; rather, it means that no relationship, no dream, no plan, and no earthly love can occupy the place that belongs to Him alone. He demands priority, supremacy, and absolute devotion. And when Jesus tells us to take up our cross, He is not speaking of small inconveniences but of a radical willingness to give up everything that competes with Him in our hearts.
Jesus challenges us to live a consecrated life for God—a life so distinct, so luminous, that it will inevitably provoke division. The gospel creates separation not because it produces conflict, but because it exposes truth. That is why Jesus Himself said that the world would hate us, reject us, and misunderstand us. Not because we are seeking trouble, but because now we belong to Him and not to the world. The moment we embrace Christ, we stop fitting into the mold of society. Our new life confronts everything the world values: pride, selfishness, sin, and rebellion.
A true disciple of Christ is someone who is willing to walk against the current—a person whose loyalty belongs entirely to Jesus. This loyalty will be tested in relationships, in decisions, in priorities, and in daily choices. There will be moments when following Christ will cost us friendships, acceptance, or opportunities. But Jesus assures us that whoever loses his life for His sake will find it. In other words, the greatest gain we can experience is to surrender everything to Him.
Beloved brothers and sisters, let us embrace the message of Christ with reverence and seriousness. Let us not attempt to make it more comfortable or culturally acceptable. His words are life, truth, and salvation. And though His message divides, it also heals, transforms, and leads us to eternal life. May Jesus truly be the center of everything in us—our thoughts, our goals, our identity, and our future.
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Jesus, cause of division
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If some people idenhtify themselves with Jesus and his Church, it becomes their duty to be consistent with his doctrine. Those people’s words, faith and behaviour, must be good trying to help brothers and other people so that the Lord God and his beloved Son Jesus may be honored and glorified for the action of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
Christian people fight a battle against spiritual wickedness, the rulers of the darkness in this world. The Devil is always near us, like a lion that is stalking, lurking around to see who to devour.
In the Bible it is very clear how the devil is trying to avoid the success of the gospel in the world. One of his weapons is to create dissensions in the family of a believer, among brothers also.
Jesus said:
“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.
And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.”
Matthew 10:37-39
if we are faithful to our Master, we ought to be ready to give reason about our faith to anyone who may ask us. But sometimes it is difficult to have a good relationship with people that don’t admit or believe what we talk about. In those cases, we could have a problem.
Our relationship with people, with family and friends can be broken off, and our lives would go through a hard time. Our love and sympathy would change into hate. That way, our behaviour would be tested.
But we ought to be faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ; and the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit will maintain us and keep us in the right way, for the glory of Him who ordains every thing in our lives.
The Lord God is our refuge and fortress in the evil day.
On Him we will wait.