1 v. 24-25  Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
‚Ä¢ Jesus could be talking about two different things here. On the one hand, He could be referring to His death, which will bring about real life for Him and millions of others. On the other hand, He could also be talking about day to day life, in which we “take up our cross daily” and die to ourselves so that the life of God can be revealed in our lives (2Cor. 4:10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
2Cor. 4:11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. )
• Some of the loneliest people I know are people that refuse to be a part of Christ. They live, they die, and remain alone, not a part of anything. At the same time, I also know people that have gone through horrible heart-ache and God was all they had and they made it through just fine.
• Loving our life is the motto of this world. We are told every day to preserve it and enjoy it and to make long term goals to keep it. Many people in the church discouraged us from going overseas because of that very thing, so that we would not lose our lives! Spring break mission trips for youth groups are even marketed in such a way as to make hard things fun (get out of your comfort zone!)
The worst times of my life have been when I was living for myself. Upon taking my eyes off of me and my abilities (or the lack thereof) and looking to Christ for life, everything changes. Contentment, joy, peace, patience, kindness, all of these things do not come by an act of the will, as so many people may tell you. These things come as the life of Christ works inside of you as you die to yourself in the day to day. Some one that wishes to live for themself will never be able to say Gal 2:19-21
Gal. 2:19 For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God.
20. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
21. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”
Excellent thoughts. Isn’t it ironic how many evangelistic messages are actually appeals to man’s desire to save his life (forever)?
Once I was discussing the loss of a very dear ministry with a friend at church and told him that when my anger overflowed thinking of how “my rights” had been violated, I could almost hear Jesus remind me that “You are supposed to be dead, what rights?” I mean if we really believe this then the us before Christ is gone (along with its claims of rights and privileges), and anything done to us — pro or con — is unto Christ not us. But, you should have seen the reaction. I might as well have claimed the mother ship was coming soon to get me!
peace
Just today a friend (and my boss at IWU) posted how they heard a great sermon on how you haven’t given enough to God until it interrupts your lifestyle. Sounds good until you think about it. I do not think they get what you are saying above. God deserves to be far more than an “interruption.” How about until everything you own, are, and ever will be is placed back in the hands of the Creator, Sustainer, and Finisher?
peace