Luke 14:25-27
Great crowds accompanied Jesus on his way and he turned and spoke to them. ‘If any man comes to me without hating his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes and his own life too, he cannot be my disciple. Anyone who does not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
Ask anyone who has left ministry and a prayer community for a sabbatical of sorts; they will tell you that they had become spiritually dead over time. To be filled with the grace , peace and love of Christ Jesus our Lord is to love Him with all our heart, mind and soul. And to love our brethren His one Body. Which means we must put our love for Him and brethren into action. For worship of Him is never a private affair.
You have all been bought and paid for, do not be slaves of other men. (1 Co 7:23) Do you listen then to anyone be it family or not that you should not serve and that charity begins and ends at home? Can you truly love our Lord without loving your neighbour? Can you love your neighbour without first loving Him Your God? Whom first loved you?
This is what I have learnt in my own journey, that we must all make love our aim, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that we may prophesy. Amen