192 The Spiritual Man
death, even though the person we love is dear to us, and even though
under ordinary circumstances we would be most reluctant to hurt
him. The Lord Jesus beckons us in this way so that we may be
purified from our natural love. It is for this reason that He therefore
declares that the one “who loves father or mother more than me is
not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is
not worthy of me” (v.37).
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and
mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even
his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his
own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14.26-
27). Now Matthew shows us in the matter of affection how believers
ought to choose loving the Lord first rather than one’s family; while
Luke signifies what attitude must be maintained towards the love
which arises from our soul life—we ought to hate it. Strictly
speaking, we are not to love just because the objects of our affection
are those whom we would naturally love. Dear and near as parents,
brothers, sisters, wives and children are to us, they are listed among
the forbidden. Such human love flows from soul life which will cling
to its heart desires and will call for love in return. The Lord
maintains that such soul life needs to be delivered to death. Though
we do not now see Him, He wants us to love Him. He desires us to
deny our natural love. He wishes to rid us of our natural love towards
others so that we will not love with our own love. Of course He wills
that we should love others, but not with our natural soulical affection.
If we love, let it be for the sake of the Lord and not for their sake. A
new relationship comes to us in the Lord. We should receive from
Him His love so that we may love others. In a word, our love must be
governed by the Lord. Should He desire us to, we must love even our
enemies: if He does not ask us to, we cannot love even the dearest of
our household. He does not want our heart to be attached anywhere
because He wants us to serve Him freely.