DEVOTIONALS | INSPIRE VERO

When Jesus said, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, he cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26), His words sounded surprising. How could the One who teaches us to love and honour our parents speak this way? Jesus wasn’t calling us to emotional hatred. He was calling us to priority . In the language of His day, “hate” meant “to love less.” Jesus was teaching that our loyalty to Him must come before every relationship—even the most precious ones. And for many of us, this is where discipleship becomes costly. Family shapes who we are. But it can also become a stumbling block without us realizing it. Some families have strong expectations— “Take care of us first.” Some provide a sense of security that makes obedience feel risky. Others are deeply concerned about status and reputation and fear what wholehearted obedience may cost. These pressures can quietly pull us away from full devotion to God. A young girl once said to her parents, “I love you, but I ...

 “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.  Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you —unless, of course, you fail the test? ”     — 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV) It is a sobering truth that many who call themselves Christians lack a heartfelt desire for God’s Word. Prayer can feel like a duty rather than a delight, and reading the Bible can seem more like an obligation than a joy. This raises a crucial question: Why are you a Christian? Is it because of family or culture—a tradition passed down like an heirloom rather than embraced through faith? Do social expectations shape your Christianity—following Christ to avoid criticism or rejection? Or does fear of judgment hold you to faith, not out of love, but out of obligation? Perhaps you identify as a Christian simply because it was always expected of you. Church attendance and Christian language may be familiar, yet your heart remains untouched. Maybe your faith has become routine—a...