And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:25-27
I believe it is disciples that make it into the Kingdom of God.. He uses this word hate.. It’s hating the alternative – anything that would put other things first to God. In other words our time our commitment our love.. devotion – everything to Him. Are we are willing to allow the Holy Spirit to work that hate within our hearts for the alternative? It’s the cross that does that work.(v27)
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23
No Alternative On The Cross
The cross that we’re to take up daily and follow him is for one purpose – to die on.. The cross places two nails within your hands and a nail for the two feet. That’s how they crucified them.. And so by analogy the cross enables us to let go of the self life – to trust God totally.. There is no alternative on the cross.. Jesus let go of everything including His life. The cross crucifies us.. both hands and feet.. what we work and walk with.. Our independence is placed to the cross so that we are no longer able to walk or use our hands..
That is why we walk by faith and not by sight. And that is why we surrender all unto the Lord. Here are these wonderful analogies and it is so sad that so few in churches preach and teach it as it says. This is why I’m calling this teaching today ‘ Hating The Alternative. ‘
Pastor Kim
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. 1Corinthians 6:20
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:22-26
For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 2Corinthians 11:2
And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. Mark 4:18-19
The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. Matthew 6:22
