Podcasts / Devotionals
Losing to Gain (Good Friday)
#3-25-16 #WorshipDevotional #Losing2Gain On this Good Friday, how do we consider it good, to follow the Savior, whose love for us endured the cross and our shame, to be willing to die so we can be forgiven and enter into Eternal life and eternal worship? “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” – Jim Elliot We live in a world that competes for our attention apart from Christ. Our thoughts are challenged and our senses are distracted.
But what does it mean to follow Jesus, what does it mean to lose everything in order to know Him in His death? To live in this world by having an eternal perspective is one of the most highest and yet difficult task in the Christian life.
I confess, so often I want it my way. Many times I’d like things to take shape according to my preferences. Becoming impatient or to seek one’s own glory is an old curse dating back to the days of Adam.
Thank the Lord that he is able to save me from my feeble attempts and prideful nature. When I set my focus on a personal outcome, I set myself up for failure and disappointment.
The tragedy is that I gain nothing but self, and lose what God is trying to teach me. In Matthew 19.16-28, Jesus calls us literally to drop everything and follow Him. This is a wonderful invitation to gain a life filled by Christ.
But in order for us to follow Him in complete obedience we have to be willing to let go of everything we are holding onto. In Matthew 19, a man asked Jesus what good things he had to do to get eternal life.
Even in our society today, when we do something good or a job well done, we want a reward, or at least acknowledgement of our job well done. The man talking to Jesus had lead a decent life. He lived by and followed the commandments. He didn’t murder anyone. He hadn’t had an affair, and had been faithful to his wife. He didn’t spread rumors about his neighbor, in fact, he was a kind neighbor.
In his eyes, his reward for living a “good life” should be eternal life. He asked Jesus “What do I still need to do to get eternal life?” The answer Jesus gave him was unexpected…
Jesus told the man to go sell everything he had and give it to the poor. After that, he would receive his treasure in heaven. When the man heard what he had to do, he began to think about everything he would have to give up. He was sad at the news.
The man was very wealthy and had a house and life filled with earthly treasures. He thought. Apparently, his stuff was worth more to him than following Jesus. [ctt template=”10″ link=”CXmT5″ via=”no” ]In response to follow Jesus, we find our treasure and worth in Jesus.[/ctt] Just has a child studies the work of his father, our eyes are intent in watching what the Savior is doing and learn from His ways.
Every-time when we do, our strength becomes his, our minds become more like His. Our love for one another increases to be more like how the Father commanded us to live. In this by-product, we gain Christ and lose ourselves.
Our success, wisdom and money cannot get us into heaven, but only through the blood of Jesus. Not based on our merits, but only on the grace and forgiveness through Christ our Lord. Everyday we begin anew, learning from His ways and walking in His love. Jesus gives us this charge: “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” – Mark 8.36 Following a life in obedience doesn’t come cheap.
God may ask us to surrender over something precious to us. Whatever God asks to you to do, whatever He calls you to do, it’s not going to come for free. [ctt template=”10″ link=”9ux2C” via=”no” ]It takes sacrifice and an even greater faith in Jesus to trust that His will is perfect.[/ctt]
It takes courage to believe that He is the only way. May we not follow Christ out of selective obedience or follow Him in order to gain something other than His glory. This day on Good Friday, He gave His one and only Son – His all so that we may receive all of His life abundantly.
How do we live our lives in reflection of the cross, and in the action of following Him and to know Him in His death and resurrection?
“I want to know Christ–yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,” – Phil. 3.10
Reflection: Are you willing to set aside everything that you are, everything you treasure and everything you dream about, for the unsearchable riches of Christ? Are you able to let go all your gains and losses for the surpassing greatness of knowing and following the LORD?@BranonDempsey @worshiptt
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