“And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.” (Genesis 27:41)
Esau wanted to kill Jacob, but he knew such a thing would crush his father. Restraint on wrong-doing because we fear displeasing another human being is short-lived. Not wanting to break the heart of Mom or Dad is insufficient to keep us on the right path. If we are to be kept from evil we must fear God Himself, whose eyes will still be upon us even when our most cherished relatives are gone. “… By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.” (Prov. 16:6)
Those who love God keep His commandments. They desire to please Him, and are pained to displease Him. Pleasing God may even bring them into disfavor with the people they care most about. But above anyone else, it is Him that they are living for.
Will our love for God survive the passing on of our dearest family? Our greatest loyalty must be proved. God must be served for God. When we pass on we will answer to no other.
“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12)