Section 2
blessing of God's salvation. This requires us to renounce all, even our life, and to carry our own cross (Luke 14:27, 33).
We may think that the Lord Jesus teaches us only to love. But in verse 26 He teaches us to hate. This is not religion; this is a matter in God's econ omy. According to the Lord's word here, we should hate those we love, not those we do not love. Especially we need to hate ourselves, even our own soul life.
What we love in ourselves is not mainly our spirit or body but our soul. For example, you may go to a restaurant not because you love your body, but because you love your soul and want to enjoy life, which is to enjoy your soul. Actually, all forms of amusement, entertainment, and pleasures are for the enjoyment of the soul. In 14:26 the Lord clearly says that if we do not hate our own soul life, we cannot be His disciples. We have received God's salvation, but we must fulfill the require ment in verse 26 in order to receive the reward.
CARRYING OUR CROSS
In verse 27 the Lord goes on to say, "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me, cannot be My disciple." The aim of the cross is not suffering; it is the termination of the person.