Find Your Life
“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.”
Matthew 16:25 NIV
Who doesn’t want to save their life?
We cling to life with the most incredible tenacity.
Amazing stories are told of the struggle for survival.
Yet here we are told that if we want to save our life we will lose it!
The answer to this paradox lies in the meaning of what life is spoken of.
There is the life of struggle and misery, pain, ill health, failed relationships, poverty and disappointment that we cling to against all odds-and there is the life of eternal peace, happiness, joy, accomplishment and fulfilment promised to those who follow Jesus.
When we concentrate all our efforts on this temporary physical life and shut out any higher thoughts, we are in danger of losing the future life of Christ’s kingdom.
When we turn our lives around and lose them to Jesus, we are not only beginning to find the future life, but we will be able to enjoy our physical lives better.
Jesus came to give us not just existence, but abundant life. In John 10:10 (KJV) Jesus says, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
When we allow his spirit and mind to guide us we begin to develop a better attitude to living. Our personal relationships improve; our priorities are directed to what is really important; we gain strength to endure through trials; we have bright hope for the future even when the present seems in darkness.
When we lose our life for Jesus’ sake, He comes and lives in us and transforms us from the inside out.
We can find that new life now, and see beyond the troubles of today to the marvellous hope for the future.
Prayer
Father in heaven, thank you that you have sent your Son to give us life. Thank you for your love that wants us to be blessed by all that’s good. Help us to give up the selfish life that always seeks to get, and to turn instead to the life of your Son who always wants to give.
Grant us the courage to put our trust in you.
Thank you.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Study by Jim Robertson
John Magowan says:
Well said, Jim. This world has little more to offer apart from temporary achievements and pleasures! We cannot fully understand the purpose of human exisrence without the reality of
God in our lives. He answers the big questions like, Why are we here, Where are we going, and, Is there life after death?
As you said, He gives us the more abundant life when we are in communion with Him. The Apostle Paul tells us that Christ IS our life, and that we are to set our affections on the things of God,(Colossions 3:1–4.
Keep up the good work, and my best wishes to all the brethren in the shetlands. John (Belfast)
sherwin scott says:
Hi Jim,
I have just put your name in the search box, and all of the articles that wrote came up. This is a very good tool to review what you have contributed to the Day by Day website. Thank you for your studies.