tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048277038736290098.post2171826618355764404..comments2023-05-16T10:41:47.905-04:00Comments on Your Life Is The Answer: Are You Putting God First?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06993370453644304815noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048277038736290098.post-77406654817454873312010-09-23T22:01:28.956-04:002010-09-23T22:01:28.956-04:00It sounds like you have definitely experienced som...It sounds like you have definitely experienced some of what Jesus was talking about. <br /><br />I agree that the verse from Luke 14 is a tough one. My own perspective is that this verse reflects the historical situation surrounding Jesus and his followers during his life. Faced with the oppression of imperial Rome, much of Galilee's population was poor, many had fallen into beggary and chronic illness, and "broken families" were almost certainly commonplace.<br /><br />When Jesus talks about "hating" one's family (including spouse), I think this saying probably reflects that historical context. Many of his followers came from families broken by oppression and poverty.<br /><br />I also think that this saying is reflective of a more general trend in the teachings of Jesus, which is hyperbole or exaggeration. Jesus' message was one of love and acceptance and compassion. Clearly "hate" here is an exaggeration meant to make a point about unwavering loyalty to God, which is also a hallmark of Jesus's teachings. <br /><br />Anyway, you have a nice blog here, and thanks for the conversation.Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10535260741343975445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048277038736290098.post-15347314085617614692010-09-23T06:59:43.164-04:002010-09-23T06:59:43.164-04:00P.S. And just as a disclaimer - I am not dismissin...P.S. And just as a disclaimer - I am not dismissing Luke 14:26. It is in the Word and God has a reason to have it there - I will have to do more studying on that particular verse to be able to have an opinion on what it meansAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048277038736290098.post-18225355046006199572010-09-23T06:58:09.817-04:002010-09-23T06:58:09.817-04:00Hi Scott,
Thanks for stopping by. I am not a Bib...Hi Scott,<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by. I am not a Bible scholar or a theologian - but that never seemed to present a problem to me. All these passages but one (Luke 14:26) deal with relationships that are not husband-wife relationships. I had to do that. I had to leave my parents' home and pursue a life of ministry. I had to separate myself from their criticism and their desire to see me do other things in order to pursue the call of God on my life. I have people in my own family constantly criticize me for choosing ministry. I can't value their opinions over God's. In this instance, these scriptures have been playing out in my life & I fully agree with you that they are true. When I got married though - God has given me as a helpmate to my husband and my ministry is first to him. This is exactly why apostle Paul says that it is better not to get married as one will often find themselves struggling between pleasing one's husband/wife or fully committing yourself to the work of the ministry. But now that I am married, I am told in the Word of God that we are one flesh (Gen 2:24), and that I am to be a subject to my husband in everything (Ephesians 5:22-24).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048277038736290098.post-12365111717767453752010-09-22T02:24:47.250-04:002010-09-22T02:24:47.250-04:00I wonder how this can be reconciled with Gospel de...I wonder how this can be reconciled with Gospel depictions of Jesus continually asserting dedication to the kingdom of God before family ties? (For instance...Luke 12:53, Matthew 19:29, Mark 10:29, Luke 14:26, Mark 3:31-35)Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10535260741343975445noreply@blogger.com