Losing Our Life For Christ’s Sake

“‘For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.’” Matt. 16:25. “And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” 1 John 3:16. Usually people are afraid to lose their lives and will do anything within their power to save themselves from natural death. Rarely is a Christian required to lay down his physical life; however, he must not hesitate to do it if that should be required.

This is how Christ laid down His life for us too, yet it is in the spiritual sense that this word has its most profound application. What does it mean to “lay down our lives” in the spiritual sense? Our will is our life—our self-life. That is why a dying man’s testament is called “his last will.” To give up, deny, or sacrifice our self-will is to lay down your life or to lose your life. When, instead of my will, the will of another person is done, then his life remains and my life is lost. When our physical life is taken from us, it means that the will of another is done instead of our will.

Therefore, this scripture verse speaks about “denying ourselves” and “taking up our cross.” Where do we have the possibility of losing our self-life and self-will? On the cross! There is always one, and only one solution—“I am crucified with Christ.” May this word burn itself deeply into the heart of each and every one.