The Paradox to a Fruitful Life
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Matthew 16:25
We are people aiming constantly at self-preservation. It is a priority for us to ensure that our hopes are not dashed, our dreams are preserved and our future is secured. This thinking and innate human tendency gives rise to a series of actions or plans that ensure that what we want is protected. We will therefore remain in our “comfort zone”, protective of our lifestyles and opposing anyone that would challenge our security. This is what the Lord Jesus meant when He said, “…whosoever will save his life…” Saving one’s life refers to this attitude of self-preservation.
This self-preservation involves favouring personal pleasures over the kingdom of God.
Demas forsook the apostle Paul, having loved this present evil world. If we are living for the Lord, we must not be alarmed when other Christians choose not to walk with us because of the word of God.
This self-preservation involves favouring personal possessions over the kingdom of God.
The rich young ruler walked away from the Lord Jesus when he was told that his riches were the stumbling block for him entering the kingdom of God. The Lord said afterward, “How hard is it for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” A rich man would find it hard to separate from his riches because it is his security.
This self-preservation involves favouring personal relationships over the kingdom of God.
In teaching the disciples regarding service for the Lord, the Lord Jesus instructed,
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Matthew 10:37
We are not to place our family and loved ones above the Lord Jesus when it comes to wanting a fruitful life. We are love our families, but when a choice comes within our heart as to who we should choose – whether the Lord Jesus, His ministry and His work or our families – Christ must always come first. We are to be as soldiers called to fight in a foreign field, going without a murmur and leaving all behind in order to fulfill the commanders’ call. Are we not, as soldiers of the Lord, to do the same? When we choose to love our life and to preserve it, we will, in essence, lose it. The meaning in life that our most high God would have for us is lost because we have been unwilling to follow His leadership.
However, the Lord Jesus said that those who were willing to lose their lives for His sake and the gospel, will find the life fruitful.
What is your aim in life, Believer? Is it to live for the Lord or for self? If you want a fruitful life, be prepared to part with anything or anyone that will hinder you from this direction. If we are unwilling to, the Lord Jesus says that we are not worthy for the kingdom of God.
Lord, your love for me is far greater than any love on earth. I surrender totally to your leadership that I might learn to lose my life in order to find it. Give me grace to do so, in Jesus’ name.
May this be our prayer today.