DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, JANUARY 4, 2013
SAVING YOUR LIFE OR LOSING IT?
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. Mark 8:35
Everyone enjoys being comfortable, cozy and cared for. At times we are tempted to withdraw from the discomforts of the call, forsaking the cross. Jesus knows that we have a human tendency to save our lives, so he warns us: "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it" (Mark 8:35).
We will one day have to give account for our life. God will ask if we hid our talent in our pockets, or were we busy, occupying in the earth. God will wonder why we built treasures and stores of goods when it was our soul that would be required of us. There are so many ways that we save our lives: often it is due to fear, or laziness, or lack of passion for God.
But how shall we lose our lives for the sake of the gospel? First, we lose our reputation and take on the form of a servant. The work and life that God has called us to must be entered with meekness and lowliness of heart. We cannot be governed by high society or the ways of man.
Today, let us be willing to lose life, for Christ's sake.
