Luke 9:24

Jesus’ word’s here appear a bit oxymoronic at first blush. To save our life we must lose it or to lose our life we will save it – what on earth does that mean? Bonhoeffer states: “When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.” In God’s economy, our striving to save our own lives ends up ultimately in the loss of it rather than losing our lives for His sake where we discover His comforting safety, His unsurpassed joy and His blessed peace. We must remember that He is our great Shepherd. His delight is to take care of His sheep. The greatest sacrifice occurs when we fail to realize this and are disobedient to His commands. “Nothing is really lost by a life of sacrifice; everything is lost by failure to obey God’s call.” Henry Parry Liddon. I recently received an e-mail describing what Jesus desires to bestow upon His children – the life that He has saved us for - according to the precious promises written by a man after God’s own heart – King David. As children of the King, the promises of Psalm 23 are ours for the taking:. The Lord is my Shepherd: That is relationship.. I shall not be in want: That is supply.. He makes me lie down in green pastures: That is rest.. He leads me beside quiet waters: That is refreshment.. He restores my soul: That is healing.. He guides me in the paths of righteousness: That is guidance.. For His name’s sake: That is purpose.. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death: That is testing.. I will fear no evil: That is protection.. For You are with me: That is faithfulness.. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me: That is discipline.. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: That is hope.. You anoint my head with oil: That is consecration.. My cup overflows: That is abundance.. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life: That is blessing.. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord: That is security.. Forever: That is eternity. I do not know about you, but I do not possess the ability to offer myself these things in my flesh on a long term basis (or even a short term basis for that matter). This, of course, begs the question of why on earth I would try to hold on to my own life in lieu of dying to self and living for Him. There always seems to be a wrestling within our spirits when we forget to let God be God and assume upon ourselves His rightful position. There will always be warring within a soul of a believer of Jesus who chooses to go his own way – chooses to be his own god so to speak. This is why we see so many discontented Christians. James, the half brother of our Lord states:1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. 4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? James 4:1-4 (NIV)
We, of course, can kill without actually murdering someone – a death to a relationship, a death to supply, a death to trust, a death to family, a death to character – are but a few of the ways we “murder” daily by our poor choices. Our verse for today shows us that we indeed have a choice. Since most of us are such stupid sheep, we choose to selfishly hold on to our pathetic lives. When we relinquish our death grip on our own “wills” and grasp hold of Jesus and His perfect will, He bestows upon us the abundant life He so desires to give to His faithful ones. Amy Carmichael states: “A sovereign God, however, works through flawed human instruments to whom He has given the power of choice. Sometimes the choices are mistaken. Divine sovereignty permits those mistakes.” When the realization of a mistake becomes manifest to a life, like the prodigal, the most important thing is to turn back to Him. Run home to the loving embrace of the Father. Again Carmichael writes: “There is only one way of victory over the bitterness and rage that come naturally to us – To will what God wills brings peace.” And yet again she states: “And as we rest our hearts upon what we know (the certainty of the ultimate triumph of good) leaving what we do not know to the Love that has led us all our life long, the peace of God enters into us and abides.” Paul tells us that contentment is a learned secret (Philippians 4:11-13). Satan has not changed his tactics. God is not holding out on us. Satan’s offers will never satisfy no matter how shiny they appear. Satan’s offers will never bring lasting contentment. Satan’s offers are a lie. I believe the secret of contentment that Paul says he has learned comes from abiding in the perfect will of our loving heavenly Father who bestows upon us the grace, strength, peace and ultimate joy to abide in whatever circumstances He allows in our lives.