Welcome to my blog. Blessings to the entire @Steemhurch community.
It is an honor for me to share a new lesson on "The true price of discipleship."

In his earthly ministry, the Lord Jesus was often followed by multitudes of people who in turn were attracted to the miracles and healing he performed. To these great crowds, the Lord Jesus had to say:

If someone comes to me and does not hate his father, mother, wife, children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:26).

Can you imagine the magnitude of the commitment to be a disciple of Christ? He has to give priority to Christ instead of the family bond. It is not about belittling and literally hating the family, but the true disciple must subordinate all his earthly ties to his loyalty to Christ.

When you receive Christ in your heart, take first place in all your affairs. It may happen that you find in your own family people who disagree with your decision to be a follower and disciple of Christ, it may also happen that your same family becomes your enemy clothing to serve the true God. In this situation, his priority is Christ.

I know of several cases of people recently converted to the Lord and who have been expelled from their homes because the parents disagree with this decision. Of course, this causes pain and suffering, but the price of the true disciple of Christ is above family ties.
The believer must understand that he has already died for the world and now lives for Christ. The important thing is to strengthen the bond and relationship with Christ. The disciple must make selfishness die and be prepared to resist suffering and martyrdom.

God knows that the first enemies of the disciple of Christ are his own family. That is why the Lord to encourage his disciples leaves interesting promises of conversion for the whole family of the believer: "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your whole house."

God demands loyalty from his disciples. The disciple pays a price with his own life if possible, to maintain his faithfulness to God.