Loving Life or Hating Life
"Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life." — John 12:25 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, This statement perplexes me. One would think we are to love this life we have been given. I equate "loving my life" with being grateful for this life, for finding joy every day in this life, for approaching every day with thankfulness. But You make a startling claim that if I love my life, I will lose it. And that if I actually hate my life in this world, I'll have eternal life. It seems that the clarifying words are "life in this world." This life is not my home. I am a pilgrim and a sojourner waiting for my true home. Philippians 3:20 says that my citizenship is in Heaven. This world and this life is not my home. 1 John 2:15 says, "Do not love the world or anything in the world." That includes this life. This world and this life within it will pass away. If my li...