There are too many Christians living miserable lives. Constant frustration and fatigue are plaguing them. The sad thing is that they don’t know how they got there or how to get out. Jesus offers us the solution in today’s scripture, but it may not be what you were expecting. He tells us to choose to lose our lives so that we will, in the end, preserve it.
Luke 17:33
“Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.”
Why Would You Do That?
Jesus often said things that went against reason and rationale. Why wouldn’t someone try to protect their lives? Why would anyone want to lose it? What Jesus is trying to do is show people the way of faith. He doesn’t want them to trust in their own strength because that is what has gotten them and the nation of Israel into the mess they are in. Instead, He wants His disciples to give up everything to find the abundant life He possesses.
Live for Jesus
Jesus would say the same thing to us. He would say give up the life you’re living and live for Him. The problem is that we want to keep what we know and add on to it with all of the blessings Jesus has for us. Unfortunately, those are incompatible. We are transformed when we receive the gift of grace the God offers through His Son, Jesus. That can’t live parallel to the old sinful life we used to live. We have to choose one or the other.
Choose to Lose
If we choose to “lose” our life for Christ, we will gain much more than we had before. Once we cross the threshold of uncertainty, we enter into a life of purpose and peace. No longer do we need to strive to impress others. God is already pleased with us because we have the righteousness of Christ in us. At the same time, the guilt and shame of our sin have been removed, and we have the peace of being accepted. If you are not living with that peace and purpose, it may be because you are trying to live two lives at once.