Covenant Reformed News – August 2014 • Volume XV, Issue 4
This article from Covenant Reformed News examines Jesus's command in Luke 14:26 to "hate your own life," clarifying what this spiritual principle does and does not mean in contemporary Christian practice. The author distinguishes between legitimate self-denial and worldly self-pity, arguing that true hatred of one's own life means rejecting self-absorption and maintaining faith in God's sovereignty and grace rather than indulging in complaint about circumstances. The piece offers practical spiritual guidance on proper Christian attitudes toward self, material conditions, and one's calling in the world.
Hating Your Own Life (1) In Luke 14:26, the Lord Jesus teaches that each one of us must “hate” his or her “own life.” But what does this mean? Especially given contemporary forms of expression, it ought to be said, first, what hating your own life does not mean. It does not require or encourage the following attitudes or speech: “I hate the way I look—my hair, my face, my body!” “I hate my wardrobe; I have nothing nice to put on!” “I hate being unpopular at school; no one likes me; I have no...