For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. There are certain passages in the Scripture, though we accept, but the mind at times cannot fathom the idea thereof. Consequently, the reader seldomly attempts the analysis of the passage, or the verse. In Christendom, we accept before we understand, this is the act of faith which is needed at times. Nevertheless, God does not elevate ignorance above comprehension and understanding. So then, the lack of understanding and the desire to comprehend shouldn’t be seen as the questioning of Scripture. Rather, the desire to learn with a pure heart, and the reverence toward God shall be the beginning of wisdom. Herein are the words of Jesus to His followers and disciples. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. To understand this is a gain, the lack of understanding thereof will be of a hindrance to the believer in his or her daily living. First and foremost, what the passage is not saying. It is in no ways advocating r eckless living , on the part of the Christian. Nor the pursuit of martyrdom . For whosoever will save his life shall lose it. The word “Life” used in the passage bear two ideas, the temporary life that is now, and the comfort that is within the world through worldly living. Such life, will be the desire to procure for oneself the worldly rewards of the world, in hope for peace, but an illusory peace, and the temporal pleasure thereof. These are the acts of saving one’s life. The finding of protection and peace from the world. The closer the believer is to the world, the further they drift from the Lord. If this is the mindset of the individual, their focus is now, with the disregard of the eternal glory of that which is to come. Clarke said, the very evil he wishes to avoid shall overtake him; and he shall lose his soul into the bargain. Whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. On the contrary, whosoever will lose his life for My sake, (Christ said) the same shall save it. As previously stated, this does not refer to martyrdom. To better understand the statement is to revisit the preceding verse which reads; If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his Cross daily, and follow me. (Luke 9:23) Note, the act of denying of oneself, doesn't speak of asceticism – The renunciation of all things pleasurable as a means to achieve a high spiritual or intellectual state. This is wrong. Neither does the denying of self speaks of isolation from the world and our surroundings. The phrase denying of oneself daily through the taking up of his or her Cross, cannot merely be summarized through a quick step process for an instant victory. It is a way of life, and every day of living brings a different circumstance to act upon. Let the mindset of the individual be about doing the right thing, but not for his or her glory. Let the follower of Christ ask themselves when they are faced with a decision or a choice to enact upon, what will Christ do? In this manner, the human self-will of arrogance , pride , vengeful , greed, jealousy , temper, hate and untrustworthiness . These will gradually be laid aside, while he or she take up their Cross. The symbol of the bearing of the Cross, is unpleasant for those who endured it, but the reason and the ultimate result is greater than the temporal discomfort, pain, shame, lost and the hurt it causes. This is the “lose” Christ spoke of, saying, whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. The highness of sin is the pride it erects in the heart and the life of the individual. That life must end, figuratively speaking, so that it may live again, but in the newness of life. (Galatians 2:20) Imagine a seed of a great potential, but if the seed is kept, it brings forth nothing but a lost in the end, but if the seed is let go and sowed, it dies in the earth. Though it tarry, but in the end, it shall live again, not as a single seed, but in life's abundance it shall flourish. Such is humanity, wonderfully created, but due to sin, man is trapped in himself, without a change unto degradation. However, if he or she will let go, then comes forth the life's abundance. Though the discomfort is now for a while, but greater is the reward in the end, if the will of the Lord is done. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. Thy will be done.
