Thematic Selections from the Bible

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The cost of discipleship shown in American Standard Version

What does it mean to hate your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters – even your own life?

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Jesus clearly did not intend for his disciples to hate or even be indifferent towards the people who are closest to them. His fifth commandment “Honour your father and mother” clearly shows that. What he wants, instead, is to use this to show the amount of love that we should have for Him. To hate the people who are dearest and closest to you means to love Christ so much, that all else pales in comparison. If a situation arises where the choice lies between doing what God wants and what your family wants, what would you do?

Lk 14:28-33

28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doth not first sit down and count the cost, whether he have to complete it?

29 Lest haply, when he hath laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all that behold begin to mock him,

30 saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

31 Or what king, as he goeth to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and asketh conditions of peace.

33 So therefore whosoever he be of you that renounceth not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.