Losing Your Life for Christ

There are two basic attitudes that we believers can adopt towards our lives. We can try to save it, or we can consciously lose it for the sake of ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More.

It is natural for us to try to save it. We can live a self-centered life and try to protect ourselves from effort and inconvenience. We can carefully plan how to shield ourselves from sudden excitement, protect ourselves from loss, and avoid any form of discomfort. Our house becomes a private property surrounded by "No Trespassing!" signs. It is there for the family alone, with a minimum of hospitality for others. We make our decisions based on the extent to which things affect our well-being. If they disrupt our plans or require a lot of work or some financial outlay to help others, then we point our thumbs down.

We tend to pay disproportionate attention to our personal health, refusing any service that might mean sleepless nights, contact with illness or death, or other physical risks. Our personal well-being ranks higher than the needs of those around us. In short, we spoil our bodies, which will be eaten by worms in a few years if the Lord does not come first.

By trying to save our lives, we lose them. We experience all the misery of a selfish existence, and we miss out on all the blessings of living for others.

The alternative is to lose our lives for the sake of ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More. This means a life of service and sacrificeA sacrifice/offering to God (or deities in pagan religions) that differed in occasion, purpose, and form. The most important sacrifices required by the Old Testament law include burnt offerings, grain... More. While we do not take unnecessary risks or seek martyrdom, we do not forget our duties with the excuse that we must live at all costs. It is true in a way that "we throw our souls and bodies at God's feet so that He may plow them under." We consider it our greatest joy to waste everything for Him and to be wasted. Our house is open, our possessions are available, our time is there for those in need.

When we pour out our lives for ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More and for others, we find the life that is real life. By losing our life, we are, in fact, saving it.