saving or losing life

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. Luke 9:23‭-‬24 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.9.23-24.NLT

Keeping a way of living relates to comfort. If I am comfortable with a habit, even though it may kill me eg eating chocolate daily, or drinking alcohol daily, I am unwise. Everything in moderation is fine, but excess sets us up for disease or early death. Lazy behaviour is also detrimental to my health. How about a lazy attitude to God's ways, His desire for us to know Him, intimately?

Judas walked with Jesus for 3 years. Yet his lust for money possessed him even in the presence of his saviour. This lust drove him to betray one he loved and ultimately hang himself. Was it worth it?

Conversely Stephen chose to boldly defend the gospel in the face of his accusers. Whilst it cost him his earthly life, he gained eternal life and honour. How do we want to be remembered? What do we want eternity to look like?

Choose life that you might live. Amen!


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