Following Jesus TodayExemplo

"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it." - Luke 9:23-24 KJV

We often think that to lay things down is to lose them. But even in the natural we know this is not true; we know that a farmer lays his seed down to gain a harvest. This is true of following the Lord. We lose nothing in essence when we follow Him. On the contrary, we gain all things. It is just heavenly wisdom.

The 24th verse of Luke chapter 9 gives us great encouragement: we are truly not losing anything. All that we seem to lose for the Lord we are actually saving. The way to save is to lose. Those who lay their lives down for the Lord are actually saving it. For instance, Moses gained God's true purpose for his life when he laid down his ambition to be the next pharaoh. Jesus gained the office of the Christ when he laid Himself down for God's will and purpose. We are really not losing anything when we follow the Lord. For the Lord will surely reward every obedience. Let us be encouraged to seek a life wholly submitted to following the Lord. Let these words by Jim Elliot encourage you:

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose."