Giving Up

Written by Julie

On April 28, 2020

If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

Matthew 16:25 (CEV)

In the Greek version, the word used for “life” can also be translated as “yourself” or “soul.” All three fit perfectly into this verse.

We have to give up ourselves–all our wants, our dreams, everything–to God. Be surrendered to His will. Allow ourselves to be molded and changed. If we hang on to who we want to be and what we want to do, it won’t go so well: we’ll just end up destroying ourselves.

We have to give up our lives. Look at this one way, it means leaving our old lives of sin and accepting the life God wants us to live. In another way, it means God could ask us to give up what’s familiar, what’s an important part of our lives. In yet another way, it means literally giving up our lives–dying–for Him, for the Gospel, for truth. To save our lives would mean denying Christ, whether actually saying it or writing/signing it or remaining silent; doing that means we die spiritually, and some day die without Christ.

As for giving up our souls, I think of that as becoming a Christian, asking God to save our souls, surrendering to Him.

“If you want to save [yourself/your soul/your life],
you will destroy [and lose] it.
But if you give up [yourself/your soul/your life] for [Jesus],
you will find it.”

		
Julie

Julie

Hi, I'm Julie, a 18-year-old lover of books, music, and Jesus. I'm a senior in high school (Abeka Academy) and have been blogging for three years. I also co-publish a digital magazine called Priceless geared toward teen girls. My desire is to use my words to glorify my Saviour and to encourage you in your walk with God. I'd love to hear from you!

You May Also Like…

Good God and Good Gifts

Good God and Good Gifts

His goodness sweeps over me like a tidal wave and I am drowned, I am overwhelmed, I am washed new and clean, I am refilled. I am dying and resurrecting.

Spring Is Coming

Spring Is Coming

We spoke in Sunday school of Job, of how he knew that his Redeemer lived and would come and would reign and would make all things new and right.

Christmas, Storms, and No Fear

Christmas, Storms, and No Fear

Life is full of so many different storms.
But because of God–because of Christ’s coming–we don’t have to fear.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments