WE WIN BY LOSING?
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.
Matthew 16:24-25 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
Here is an interesting truth about the kingdom culture, we win by losing! We must be willing to lose our own way of living and lose our lives. I don’t believe Jesus was encouraging us to commit physical suicide. But Jesus was asking us to trade what our fleshly nature desires for the higher calling of following Jesus. Jesus compared this life choice to carrying our cross. The cross was a place of shame, pain, and death. I believe Jesus was asking us to be willing to suffer shame, pain, and even death to advance His kingdom. Jesus taught things like, “love your enemies.” That is definitely against our flesh that normally wants revenge. We must die to revenge to follow Jesus. Jesus said to “love your neighbor as yourself.” Then He gave an illustration of a Samaritan who loved a Jew by caring for his physical needs. The Jews hated the Samaritans, and the Samaritans hated the Jews. Jesus said we should love those who are different from us. That means we die to our prejudice. As you head into a new year what needs to die in your life to discover the life Jesus has for you?
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit help me to be willing to lose my life for Your life. Help me to be willing to pick up my cross daily.
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