34-37 “Don’t think I’ve come to make life cozy. I’ve come to cut—make a sharp knife-cut between son and father, daughter and mother, bride and mother-in-law—cut through these cozy domestic arrangements and free you for God. Well-meaning family members can be your worst enemies. If you prefer father or mother over me, you don’t deserve me. If you prefer son or daughter over me, you don’t deserve me.

38-39 “If you don’t go all the way with me, through thick and thin, you don’t deserve me. If your first concern is to look after yourself, you’ll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you’ll find both yourself and me.

Read full chapter

Bible Gateway Recommends

The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language - eBook
The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language - eBook
Retail: $29.99
Our Price: $16.49
Save: $13.50 (45%)
Message Slimline Bible--soft leather-look, brown/tan
Message Slimline Bible--soft leather-look, brown/tan
Retail: $39.99
Our Price: $13.99
Save: $26.00 (65%)
3.5 of 5.0 stars
The Message Personal-Size Bible--soft leather-look, saddle tan
The Message Personal-Size Bible--soft leather-look, saddle tan
Retail: $39.99
Our Price: $32.99
Save: $7.00 (18%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
My First Message: A Devotional Bible for Kids - eBook
My First Message: A Devotional Bible for Kids - eBook
Retail: $18.99
Our Price: $9.99
Save: $9.00 (47%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
The Message Devotional Bible LeatherLike, Brown
The Message Devotional Bible LeatherLike, Brown
Retail: $39.99
Our Price: $32.99
Save: $7.00 (18%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars