@kellyjay saidIt's not about there being a "loophole". It's about whether its actually a legitimate "commandment" - supposedly divine - or just a reflection of a culture in a particular time. There's a reason why there's a "commandment" about "false Gods" but not one forbidding violence against women and children or one forbidding the ownership of human beings. It's not about "loopholes" its about seeing "commandments" like the ones that are revered for what they are.
Are you going to add what if, after what if, looking for something to prove we don't have to respect our parents? Find the loophole?
@fmf saidAgain, obviously, it's incomprehensible to you.
Why would "hating" one's own "father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters" be a "healthy" relationship?
You isolated a verse, question its meaning, infer an application not consistent with its context and got lost in the weeds.
I am not talking about "an idol" or about anything "replacing the Lord". I am asking you why you must "hate [your] own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even [your]own life" if you want to follow Jesus.
I think my answer is the same.
The crowds were following Jesus and He suddenly turned around and was frank with them. To be His disciples thier love for Him must such that nothing would be more important than the love.
Luke 14:25-27
25 "And there were great crowds going along with Him, and He turned and said to them,
26 If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, and moreover, even his own soul-life, he cannot be My disciple.
27 Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple."
So, I cannot be His disciple. (In my own power)
And I have told Him so.
Then you go on to other things Jesus said. Like - let's say Mark 10:27
"Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”
This was said to His disciples after a young man sadly withdrew and went away because he simply did not have within him to give up his material riches and follow Jesus around.
Anything we hold more dear to us than God is an idol.
I find it effective to just be honest with Jesus and TELL HIm that you love
something more than He.
I know you didn't ask about any of that. But I add it for the benefit of other who are attracted to Christ but look at themselves and know there is no way they could follow the Lord.
The first step in following is admission that without His grace too many things just prevent you from following Him. I think Christ wants to hear you admit that.
Then He can began to dispense Himself into you as the Spirit of Christ.
@sonship saidWhy "hate" them, though?
@FMF
I am not talking about "an idol" or about anything "replacing the Lord". I am asking you why you must "hate [your] own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even [your]own life" if you want to follow Jesus.
I think my answer is the same.
The crowds were following Jesus and He suddenly turned around an ...[text shortened]... My disciple."
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So, I cannot be His disciple. (In my own power)
And I have told Him so.
Why "hate" them, though?
I do not think He actually meant to hate your mother, father, wife, children in that sense.
My experience is that pure love for my family members encreased with a divine flavor after letting Jesus come more and more into my heart.
My experience was that my care for my closest family members was enhanced with turning over my tastes, attitudes, and actions to be under Christ's influence.
I would never want to return to the natural level of love I had for them before living a self loving soulish life without Jesus.