Matthew 10:37 English Standard Version (ESV) Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Understand that the lord has not said anything about hating family members. Being worthy of Christ is about allegiances.
Matthew 19:17-20 English Standard Version
17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?”
Note here that our Lord lists things for which this young man can answer positively. He believes he has done all this, yet knows in his heart it isn’t enough. Which of the Ten Commandments did Jesus leave out?
Matthew 19:21-22 English Standard Version
21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Jesus left out the command, you shall have no other gods before me.
The young man loved possessions more than God.
There will be times in our lives when our choices are put into question. We will become uneasy within ourselves because we know in our hearts that we have not loved Christ as He loves us. In those moments we may find ourselves asking the Lord what we still lack.
Why is worthiness an issue in us?