1308. A False Idea of Securing Life

A False Idea of Securing Life

"He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for My sake shall find it" (Mat_10:39).

There are three statements, in three Gospels, concerning this theme which are worthy of note.

1. Finding the life and losing it. "He that findeth his life shall lose it" (Mat_10:39). The word for findeth, is "hurisco." The chapter is discussing the need of confessing Christ before men. In this connection Christ says, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword" (Mat_10:34). Christ continues to show how in following Him, a man will be set at variance against his father; and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. He says, "A man's foes shall be they of his own household" (Mat_10:35-36).

After this statement, Christ urged: "He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me." Then, come the words of our text: "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for My sake shall find it" (Mat_10:37-40).

Thus the expression "findeth his life," suggests a man seeking to shield his life from the suffering entailed by a true discipleship. Seeking to find in life, freedom from sacrifice, from suffering on account of family, of friend or of foe, is, in reality, losing the life.

He who chooses the pathway of flowers, the pathway free from thorns, may find his life down here, but, in finding it, he will lose it for evermore.

2. Saving the life, and losing it. The Greek word this time is "sozo." The connection in which the verse is found brings us the statement of Christ, "And He began to teach them, that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected of the elders and of the chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again" (Mat_16:21).

Peter immediately rebuked the Lord; the Lord in turn rebuked Peter, saying, "Get thee behind Me, Satan, * * thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men" (Mat_16:23).

Christ then called the people unto Him with His disciples and He said unto them, "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it" (Mat_16:24-25).

The message is plain. We must be willing to pour out our life as a drink-offering for Jesus Christ.

Let us follow the example of our Lord and refuse to save our life from the cross-bearing to which all the redeemed are heirs. We must not pity ourselves, spare ourselves from suffering with Christ outside the camp. If we save our lives we will lose them. Rewards are only to the faithful.

3. Loving the life, and losing it The Greek word this time is "phileo." Certain of the Greeks had come to worship at the feast, they had said to Philip, "Sir, we would see Jesus" (Joh_12:21). Philip told Andrew, and Andrew and Philip told Jesus.

Jesus answered them saying: "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal" (Joh_12:24-25).

After this Christ was troubled in His soul, and He said, "What shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify Thy name" (Joh_12:27-28).

The meaning of all of this is plain, if we would serve the Lord Jesus, we must follow Him; we must be willing to lose our life, even unto death, in His behalf. Thus we will guard our life until life eternal. On the other hand, if we love our life, and refuse to die–we shall lose it, so far as the world to come is concerned. Again the question of rewards and not of eternal salvation is before us.

Let the three words remain in our thoughts: He that findeth his life–he that saveth his life–he that loveth his life–shall lose it.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR