Saved... Lost!

Saved...Lost!

For whoever wishes to save his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], but whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake, he is the one who will save it [from the consequences of sin and separation from God]. LUKE 9:24 AMP

FOR - another strong word relating to yesterday's extract. IF refers to the election of choice; the power you have to choose. You are given options, and you are given time to make a choice. As soon as the choice is made, the consequences automatically follow. The FOR introduces the consequences in today's extract. When you have made the choice of who to follow, just as a man decides his life is more important to him than an allegiance to Christ, you have to face up to the consequences of that decision.

Two options are given here as usual: taking steps to save your life and living your life in total submission to the will of God. As usual, no middle ground. No decision is a decision. The world wants us to think we have the power over our lives, and we can live as we please with no consequence. The Word of God wants us to know that our lives belong to God, his breath is the reason why we live and to Him we all shall return for judgement.

Think about it: which one looks plausible: the present world system that is itself the result of disobedience to God or the Word of God that created the earth as we see it and continues to sustain it? Both extremes make strong cases for your attention; both want your commitment and lifelong devotion. If my priority is saving my own life in this world, God says I will lose it in death. I cannot sustain life in any form; it is not set alarms that wake me up in the morning or good healthy food that keeps me alive.

Good food and exercise may help, but there is someone else who is fully involved in my life and wants me to know Him. As long as I am involved in self-preservation, I am telling God that I can take care of myself. If on the other hand, I know my limitations and go to God for help, I tell Him I acknowledge His power and grace. I surrender my life to Him to use as He pleases. At this point, I am handing over control; losing my life and my power over it to the One who truly owns it. That is the decision that seals eternal life for me.

Make sure you hand over control not just to anyone or anything, but to the One who is Life Himself. In Him is the fullness of all that God is and has, and faith in Him gives victory down here and secures eternal life with Him at the end of this present earthly phase. You do not want to get to the end of your life and discover you had run after wrong priorities. Eternity is too long a time not to be sure where you will spend it. His time of favour is here.