What it Means to Be an Outcast for Christ
Matthew 10:35-37 “For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
Divine Revelation
Jesus points out in the above Scripture, “And a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.” I think He understood the impact of family connections and how Satan can use them to lure us into conformity with the world to fit in. That is why He places a relationship with Him above every other relationship on earth. Why would Jesus require this? Being sold out to God comes with a price. Jesus knew this and made it clear to His disciples that to follow Him would threaten their closest relationships, even their relationships with one another.
As one recovering from relationship addiction, most of my young life was plagued by being a people-pleasing, needy monster that sought after the love and approval of others. This is one of the reasons why, as a young believer, I got caught up in legalism. Performance and being good attracted the praise of others and the preverbal “Good Christian” pat on the back made me feel good about myself. However, I couldn’t silence the voices inside my head that told me; “If they knew about your past, what you were like on the inside, or could read your thoughts they would reject you, and they wouldn’t love you. Who do you think you’re fooling?” We try so hard to fit the mold of what others think we should be and often lose ourselves in the process. Even in our Christian circles, this kind of peer pressure is real!
There’s a song that speaks about this issue. It’s “Outcast” by Kerrie Roberts. Though she’s referring to the peer pressure one might encounter in high school or college. The pressure of the world around us and the pressure from those closest to us is just as weighty. As believers, we may know who our enemy is! However, he knows how to go for the juggler by using our relationship with others to get under our skin and trigger our inadequacies.
A Divine Challenge
We all tend to hide our flesh behind walls, so others only see what we want them to see. Beloved, it is time to tear down those walls, embrace our wretchedness and receive His unconditional love “that covers a multitude of sin!” He sees everything anyway and loves us despite it all. The righteousness of Christ that we wear as a child of the Most High is a free gift that is impossible to earn or deserve. and therefore, no performance is required. Truthfully, man’s approval pales in comparison to being right with God. So, let’s make the chorus of this song our battle cry!
The chorus of “Outcast”
I’m not good enough I’m not what they want
But let me tell you what
I know who I am
So just throw me out
For not fitting in
I will stand my ground
And be an outcast
Call to Action
This has become the battle cry of this saint who has chosen to shed her people-pleasing, needy monster, looking for love in all the wrong places, way of life to be an OUTCAST FOR CHRIST! Whatever it costs me relationally, it will not tear me away from Jesus. I pray that I will stand for Him and with Him no matter what. Will you join me? Will you pick up your cross and forsake all else to follow after Him? It may cost you everything! Yet “what does it profit a person to gain the whole world but lose their own soul” in the process? Please don’t let it cost you that!
Father, a relationship with You is the only relationship that we can truly be ourselves in. It is the source from which all other relationships flourish and no other relationship offers what You offers. Help us not sell out to anything or anyone but You. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen!