Christianity Group — For Those Who Seek Jesus

[DroidKnight]

dark_gh0st_b0y said:

I guess it's a matter of perspective, one would argue that if you have 0 of something you have nothing hence you cannot have anything less, yet another could say that you can have -10 of something, and therefore you owe something

relatively speaking - and based on the Bible - Jesus teaching is supposed to be the most important thing in a Christian's life, hence Luke 14:26 saying one must hate their father and mother in order to get to Jesus - because His teaching is meant to be above human love (e.g. if your father is Hilter or Putin who go against Jesus teaching by causing suffering to others, then it is better to hate them than betray Jesus teaching)

when it comes to atheism, I understand it is a lack of belief, but at the same time there must be something that is the most important thing during your time in this world, I don't think belief in nothing is your most important thing right?

it can be something physical or someone's teaching, it doesn't really matter, there is always something that is the *most* important thing to people, and for many, that is what you believe in

doesn't have to be called religion or faith, what you perceive as important is what you believe in, and in the end of the day what defines your mentality, and state of mind, also defines your actions and therefore who you are - so the end result is the same as having a religion

Luke 14:26

Luke 14:26 states, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple".

This is widely interpreted to mean that followers must prioritize their relationship with Jesus above all other loyalties, even their own family and life.

The term "hate" is understood to be a form of hyperbolic language emphasizing that a follower's commitment to Christ must be greater than their love for anyone or anything else.

Prioritization over family:

The verse is not an instruction to literally hate family members, but to love God to such a degree that earthly relationships are surpassed.

It means that if a choice has to be made between family and following Christ, the choice must be Christ.

Renouncing self:

The phrase "yes, and even his own life" is interpreted as a call to give up one's own will, desires, and ambitions to follow God's will.

The cost of discipleship:

Taken together with other verses in Luke 14, this passage is seen as a lesson on the cost of discipleship, which requires a complete commitment and a willingness to sacrifice all.