Martyr Jim
Elliot (1927—1956), missionary to the Auca people in Ecuador, often expressed
this classic piece of wisdom: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to
gain what he cannot lose.”
There are
a myriad of things that we can never possess in life; one of these, and the
most significant one, is having ultimate control over our life. Yet, we seem to
struggle for years, and for many, through the whole lifespan—not acknowledging
this fact—enduring torment. In a way it’s senseless, and altogether meaningless—certainly
when looking back from the end-of-life view.
Jesus
said, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his
life for me and for the gospel will save it.” — Mark 8:35.
We are apt
at skipping over the fundamentals thinking we’ve got them covered. The
interesting thing about this verse above is that it’s every bit as hard and
all-encompassing to achieve as it is to achieve anything Jesus preached during
the Sermon on the Mount.
In fact,
it sort of sums it all up—as a foundational unit in the base program of the
Christ-follower’s life.
Think
about total daily surrender of our desires and selfishness. Think about
reality. There’s a divide, a great abyss between the two, it doesn’t matter who
we are. We want to do what is good, but many times we miss the mark. Paul sums
it up as he laments: “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but
what I hate I do.” — Romans 7:15.
So, how do
we get there, or is living like Jesus Christ only something of an ideal? I don’t
think Jesus meant for us to think only idealistically. In fact, that’s the
Devil’s program, to convince us obeying God is too hard.
Assuming
we’re already Christ-believer’s, and conceding Jesus’ statement is conditional,
chasing the lost life to truly save our life (hence, finding it) requires us to
consistently give up on our own
personal desires, plans and dreams and to start loving others as we want to be loved.
It’s the perfect search of selflessness and wisdom, noting the difference here
between perfection and a search. Searching like this is a devoted
investigation, leading us to spiritual progress, and abandoning the false hope
of attaining spiritual perfection.
And this
can’t ever be done overnight. It’s a process of practising the practice over
the years and decades, commencing with the seconds and minutes. It’s less about
our own effort and more about the ease of trusting God’s grace. It’s about
listening to, and cooperating with, the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. It’s
about becoming professional as a Christlike
human being. And if this is our sole focus, all other things we need will be
given to us.
Enter the
concept of good faith, and right living before God and with humankind.
When we
give up what we cannot keep (our life, control over it, and elements of
extraneous desire over life) for a life in the surrender before God, we get to
keep a slice of eternity (here) as a sort of down payment on life kept in
eternity (to come) with God—something we cannot lose, provided we remain in
him. And if we learn to give the material resources we cannot keep God teaches
us something eternal we cannot lose.
I think
this is what Jim Elliot meant in his quote at first.
ADDITIONAL
SCRIPTURE:
Matthew
6:33 says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these
things will be given to you as well.” What are “all these things?” To name a
few, these are what we'll eat and drink, and what we’ll wear. We can extend
this out (safely) to any material possession. What we truly need, God will
provide.
See John
15:1-17. Jesus’ command for those “remaining” in him... “Love each other.”
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