“Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
Matthew 16:25

Many people choose a ‘word of the year’ for the New Year. Words like “believe,” “rest,” or “courage” are often chosen as ongoing themes and sources of strength in the year ahead.  

Well, I had trouble narrowing it down.

I don’t have one word for the New Year.  

I have six: Lose my life for His sake.  

I want these six words to constantly pop up in my mind next year. No matter where I am or whatever I’m doing, I want to cling to this phrase in any and every situation.

These six words flow out of today’s verse found in Matthew 16:25. Jesus lays out the cost, in no uncertain terms, of what it means to truly follow Him. Having just predicted His own death and resurrection, He tells His disciples to “deny themselves and take up their cross” (Matthew 16:24).  

Apparently, following Jesus means way more than just liking His teaching or possessing certain moral values.  

Following Jesus means total commitment, even to the point of death.   

Jesus issues His disciples two options: Save our lives or Surrender our lives.

Notice there is no middle ground.  

If we choose to “save” (hold onto control) of our lives, we ultimately fail to experience an abundant life on earth and forfeit eternity with God. 

However, if we surrender or “lose” our lives, we discover life as it’s meant to be lived: a life with Jesus both now and forevermore.   

When we first decide to follow Jesus, we choose to surrender our lives to Him, but this initial act of surrender must be continuously lived out for the rest of our lives.

And this isn’t easy.

Surrendering control goes against every inclination of our selfish hearts.  As author Eugene Peterson says, “the kingdom of self is heavily defended territory.”  To say it another way, losing our lives doesn’t happen without an internal struggle.  

But is the struggle worth it?  

YES.  

Better stated, is He worth it?

ABSOLUTELY.

The ongoing motivation for losing our lives is found in a Person. We lose our lives for Jesus’ sake, not merely for a religion or a cause. Our heart is so filled with love for who Jesus is, what He’s done, and His purposes on earth, that it is our great joy to lay down our lives.

The more we cherish Jesus and His sacrifice on our behalf, the more compelled we are to surrender control.  As author Craig Groeschel puts it, “Jesus can do way more through your surrender than you can with your control.”

So, I invite you to join me. Give up control and embrace surrender.

Let these six powerful words radically transform you in the coming year: Lose your life for His sake. 

A year from now, you’ll look back and be glad you made that choice.  

Written by Jonathan Munson, Executive Director. RFTH

DIG DEEPER
Read “Surrender – What Does it Mean?” by Bryant Wright