Jesus said these words when some Greeks, who were "God-fearers," wanted to see Him, "Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while Anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me." (John 12:25-26). Perhaps these Greeks wanted to see Jesus because they were still looking for an answer to life and wanted to be sure that God would accept them. They felt that offering sacrifices to the temple was not enough, and there was something more. Jesus explained to them that those who serve Him would be honored by God, the Father. And those that served Him should not love their lives on this world. It means that we, as God's servants, must not love and rely on the ways of this world.
Many people have chosen to walk away from God because they were attracted to the things of this world, such as power, wealth, and possessions. However, these things will not save their lives. As believers, we must value God more than the life that we have in this world. For when we value God more than our life in this world, we will be able to serve our Lord Jesus and be honored by our Heavenly Father. True Christianity is not about following certain sets of rules and rituals to be accepted by God, but it is about living for God according to His Word. 1 John 2:15 says, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If Anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."
It is alright to have wealth, possessions, and influence in this world. They are all blessings from God, but let us be careful not to love them more than God. As believers, Our Lord Jesus is our hope, salvation, and security. Let us hold loosely the things we have in this world because they are all temporary, but our relationship with our Heavenly Father is eternal.
Ask yourself these questions: Do I value God more than the things and ways of this world? Do I trust God more than the security of this world?
Write down all the worries that you are facing today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, I acknowledge that you are my hope, salvation, and security. Please forgive me if I have been valuing the things of this world more than you. Please continue to change my heart and to trust you only. Please help me hold loosely the things you have blessed me in this world that my heart is always yours. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.