One of the pondering questions in the sermon notes this past Sunday asked, "What teaching/s of Christ do I find harsh?" Luke 14:26 and John 12:25. These I do not understand.
John 12:25 (New International Version)
25The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
Doing a Greek Study of the words through net.bible.org, I come to understand that it is he who "treats affectionately" his life here on earth now will lose it and he who "detests" or is "persecuted" for His (Jesus') sake in this world, will save it eternally.
That makes complete sense to me. If I treat myself on earth so as to avoid being persecuted for Jesus' sake, I will miss out on eternal life, but if I am persecuted for Christ's sake on earth, I will have eternal life.
NOTE: persecution comes in many forms: hatred from other people, disdain from others because of what beliefs, being mocked or laughed at or killed because of ones beliefs
NOTE: persecution comes in many forms: hatred from other people, disdain from others because of what beliefs, being mocked or laughed at or killed because of ones beliefs
Okay, let's tackle Luke 14:26.
Luke 14:26 (New International Version)
26"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple.
According to the translation, on net.bible.org, the use is figurative (hate) and is on a relative scale, meaning, one is to love God so much, that even the love you have for family will look like hate comparatively. Or, we are not to love our family more than God.
That makes sense too, and I figured as much, but I needed to know that the Greek somehow stated that it was not literal, but a figure of speech.
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the beautiful weather You've blessed us with lately! Cool nights, warm, sunny days, bright blue skies, wow. I stand in awe of Your handiwork!
Thank You for the work You are doing in my life! The exciting new things I am learning! Please continue to change me. Please draw me close to You and help me to feel Your presence. Glorify Your name! Fill me with the fruits of the Spirit! Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control!
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