Parables Of Jesus Christ: Counting The Cost

Jesus Christ commanded His people to put obedience to Him first in their lives. The use of the English word "hate" in the Scriptures below has a different connotation than the original Greek word that Christ actually spoke, which literally meant to love less i.e. Christ's disciples aren't to "hate" their parents (which would violate the Fifth Commandment; see The Two Great Commandments) or children; they are to love Christ more than anyone or anything.

"^14:25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, ^14:26 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." (Luke 14:25-26 KJV)

Genuine obedience to the Messiah is how Christians "bear his cross" (see the Fact Finder question below).

"^14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:27 KJV)

"He that hath ears to hear, let him hear"

The lesson then continued with the Messiah's parable of counting the cost:

"^14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

^14:29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, ^14:30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish." (Luke 14:28-30 KJV)

Another example, as the parable continued:

"^14:31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

^14:32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace." (Luke 14:31-32 KJV)

And so too must true Christians not lose their "salt" (see No U Turns On The Road To Life).

"^14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

^14:34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? ^14:35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out.

He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." (Luke 14:33-35 KJV)

Fact Finder: Unlike some people of Judah who use physical devices to vainly claim obedience to the LORD (e.g. see Frontlets and Phylacteries and The Fringes Of His Garment) or some Christian-professing people who do the same by wearing idolatrous "crucifixes" (see Fundamentals Of True Christianity: Lesson 2), how do the LORD's people truly "carry the Cross"?
See Carrying The Cross