Sam,
Good question.
Hate (Greek -- misei, meaning #3): "of relative preference for one thing over another": In this case a family or friend's claim on a life over God's claim. You're certainly perceptive enough to see the conflict presented to family, friend and even self interest once the revelation of the truth occurs in one's life. If I understand your own assertions, I think you know this principle very well. I put to you the same: What if your son, daughter, wife, mother or father disputed your current assertions and begged you to rejoin them in their own claims of truth. Are we to believe that you would repudiate your own position simply for their sakes? Do you not rather prefer to follow your own star, regardless of anyone else's demand on you?
If we look at Jesus' early life, we find Him demonstrating this same "preferencing" after having been found in the temple at the age of twelve by his mother and step-father, Joseph. He says directly, " . . Do you not know that I must be about my Father's business?" He said this in the hearing of his step-father.
However, He went with them back to Nazareth and learned carpentry under the tutelage of Joseph for the next eighteen years or so. Finally at about the age of thirty, His Father authorizes Him to start His true mission, for he had been required to pioneer the leaving of family for the interests of the Kingdom of God. What He demanded of His disciples was no less than what He had done. He knew it must be this way. He knew very well the preference.
After He had begun the business of the Father, his refusal to go back home to go back to private life as a carpenter shows this same hatred -- the preferring less -- of his own home life. He had no malice toward them (meaning #1 of misei), for even at his death, he ensures the welfare of His mother to John. James, his brother became a believer and defender of faith in Him -- even though in John 7 it states that none of his brothers believed in Him at that time -- for he finally came to understand the truth about his step-brother.
As christians, we must make the appropriate preferences indicated in this form of the word hate -- misei. For instance, we are required to bless when we are cursed, pray for those who despitefully use us and other such things. Doing this requires the kind of death or hatred of self that the reborn nature within provides and the fleshly nature abhors. That old nature, the one we are all born with, would rather fight back, rail and curse the offender.
How appropriate then, such a thing should be said! Your own mentors would pretty much say the same thing if they were to speak to you. You are determined to follow their path to "the hating -- preferring less" of all other considerations. To pin all hope on the lead of Another in spiritual matters is the most serious decision anyone ever makes. Indeed he must count the cost. Do you agree?
Regards,
Stan
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