The beloved physician Luke wrote how Jesus asked His disciples, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me”, and in chapter nine and verse twenty-four of his book Luke shared how Jesus told His disciples, “whosoever will save his life shall lose it” where we read:
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it:
but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
The verse reads, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it:” Luke began with the words, “for whosoever” or “because, since and on account that whatever person whether male or female” “will save his life” which means “will keep safe and sound, rescue from danger and destruction and preserve their own soul and way of living” “shall lose it” or “will destroy, perish and ruin their own soul and way of living”. Luke shared how Jesus told His disciples whatever person seeks to “preserve” their own “life and manner of living” will actually “destroy and ruin” their “life”.
The verse goes on to say, “... but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Luke continued with the words, “but whosoever” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover” “will lose his life” or “will destroy, perish and ruin their own soul and way of living” “for my sake” which means “on behalf of Jesus' cause and account”, “the same shall save it” or “that selfsame person will keep safe and sound, rescue from danger and destruction and preserve their own soul and way of living”. Luke shared how Jesus said whatever person will “destroy and ruin” their own “way or manner of living” will actually “preserve” their “soul” and “life”.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we see how Jesus presented an idea that contrasts greatly with the way most people live. Jesus basically said a person has to “give up” their “life” to find it. Where the world promotes “taking the bull by the horns”, “taking the tiger by the tail” and doing everything to promote one's own self, Jesus said those who follow after Him will “deny themselves, take up their cross, follow Him and lose their lives”. God desires to have a personal relationship with every person, and in order for that to happen, a person must give over their rites to govern themselves and yield to Him. Let all who read these words examine their lives and determine who is “Lord” over everything they do.
Next time Luke shares how Jesus told His disciples, “what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself?”, 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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