The apostle John wrote how, “there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. Philip came and told Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip told Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone: but if it die, it brings forth much fruit”, and in chapter twelve and verse twenty-five of his book John shared how Jesus said, “he that loves his life shall lose it” where we read:
He that loves his life shall lose it; and he that hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
The verse reads, “He that loves his life shall lose it;” John began with the words, “He that loves his life” which means “the person whether male or female who is fond of, has affection for and befriends their own vital force which animates the body and the seat of the feelings, desires, affections and aversions” “shall lose it” or “will destroy, ruin and render their life useless”. John shared how Jesus said the person who is “affectionate and fond” of their own “life” will “destroy” it and render it useless.
The verse goes on to say, “and he that hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.” John continued with the words, “and he that hates his life” which means “and the person whether male or female who detests their own vital force which animates the body and the seat of the feelings, desires, affections and aversions” “in this world” or “in the earth” “shall keep it unto life eternal” which means “guard, keep watch over and protect their life toward life which is real and genuine, active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed and in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last for ever”. John shared how Jesus said the person who “detests” their own “life” on earth will “guard and protect it” for all eternity.
When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus presented a challenge that is contrary to most people's thinking. “Loving” one's self is promoted from many areas, and “hating” one's self is considered an error. Jesus set forth this to show how people who desire to have a personal relationship with Him must “deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Him” (See Luke 9:23). In other words, nothing is to come before a person's relationship with God. God loves people, and when they surrender their own life to receive the “eternal life” He provides, they “guard and protect” their lives for all eternity. May all who read these words yield their “lives” to Jesus and discover “life” better than they shall ever know on their own.
Next time John shares how Jesus says, “if any man serve me, let him follow me”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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