Matthew 16:24-25 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.”

This is a justly famous passage, and I like the added punch of “daily” that is in the parallel passage in Luke 9:23-24. However, few people ever really contemplate what this means, much less strive to practice it. This isn’t talking about wearing seat belts! It’s really a matter of values and priorities. Even David understood this. (Psalm 63:3) It’s not that our lives are trivial, it’s that God is so much better! As the NIV footnote points out, the same Greek word can be translated as “life” or “soul.” It’s amazing to look around and see how many people are clinging to “soulish” things, such as pleasure or authority or physical wealth. Sadly, even Christians, who should know better, often fall into this trap. After all, we can’t take any of that, even physical life, into eternity! When that is understood, then keeping Jesus above and ahead of all of it becomes much easier. Any discussion of this issue brings to mind the quote from Nate Saint, who indeed gave his physical life for the sake of Christ: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.”

As well as I know this, I still let things get in the way of total obedience to Christ. Comfort and convenience appear to be particular bugaboos for me. I have a distinct tendency to be lazy. I need to get appropriate rest, but at the same time remember that I’ll have eternity to catch up, if I get behind! Physical items have much less pull on me than in the past, but that’s not to say I’m immune. As a pastor, it is a major challenge to communicate this value system to the believers. (I think I feel a sermon coming on!) However, it is counterproductive to lecture people on an issue where my own faithfulness is in doubt. I am to keep pressing into Christ as my highest value and goal, so that I may gain all that He has for me and lead others to do the same, for His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. As is recorded in Luke, it is indeed a daily thing, and not to be done once and forgotten. Help me be consistent in choosing Christ above and before everything else, so that all of Your plans for me may be fulfilled, for the salvation of many and for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!