Part Two: "Avoiding A Divided Allegiance" (Matthew 6:19-24)

In Matthew chapter 6, one of the main teaching points of Christ has to do with our relationship as Christ followers to the Father God! In fact, the importance and significance of this relationship is seen by the numerous times Jesus uses the term "Father." We see the term "your Father," "our Father," "your heavenly Father," being used a total of 10 times in this chapter. Our passage is covered in this chapter! In other words, what we read in Matthew 6:19-24 has everything to do with guarding our relationship with the Father God! The Christ follower's relationship to the Father God as His children is a most awesome relationship! Paul teaches that the Christ follower has been "bought with a price" (1 Corinthians 6:20) so that we can be called "children of God" (1 John 3:1). Paul teaches "For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God" (Romans 8:15-16). For the Christ follower, this relationship has to be the most precious thing we could ever have! What a wonderfully, powerful and exciting thing it is to know that as Christ followers, we're the Father's children and we have access to Him as "Abba, Father." The word "Abba" is more of a personal name, whereas "Father" is a reference to a relationship. The word "Abba" implies complete trust, whereas "Father" speaks of a known relationship. Used together, "Abba Father" denote trust, dependence, and intimacy, as well as a personal relationship with God! Becoming a Christ follower is the highest privilege and honor that can be imagined! As we grow to understand and embrace the true nature of God as revealed in the Scriptures, we should be amazed that God not only allows us, but encourages us to call Him "Abba Father!" This is why we must understand the words "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." We must understand them in light of the fact that many things have the potential to interfere with our relationship with the Father God. Our treasure is the relationship we have with God the Father, and that is where our heart will be also! Your move. Be encouraged!