QUESTION: In Luke 14:26 we read, "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." What does the Lord Jesus mean by saying we are to hate our relatives?

ANSWER: The word "hate" is being used here in a comparative way. The Lord Jesus is saying that our love for Him must be so great that our love for others in hatred by comparison. Scripture speaks very clearly about our responsibilities in our earthly relationships. Children are to honor their father and mother (Ephesians 6:2). Husbands are to love their wives (Ephesians 5:25). If any man provide not for his own house he has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel (1 Timothy 5:8).

However, earthly relationships should never be allowed to keep us from following Christ. His claims upon us must be supreme. Obedience to His Word and will must be first in our lives. This does not mean that we will forsake our responsibilities in these earthly relationships. Instead, by putting the claims of Christ first we will be given the grace, wisdom and strength to fulfill our responsibilities to one another to the glory of His name.

—John D. McNeil