Dying to Live

Oxymoronic phrases bring together two seeming impossibilities: jumbo shrimp, the silence was deafening, the original copy.

Scripture presents one of the greatest oxymorons of all: to truly live, we must die. In other words, we are dying to live. Jesus said that whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for His sake will find it. We give to gain. We surrender to be victorious. Less becomes more.

Jesus illustrated this truth with a simple image—a grain of wheat. If it remains unbroken, it stays alone. But when it falls to the ground and dies, it produces much fruit. Death, in this sense, becomes the doorway to life.

On the surface, this makes little sense. Yet spiritually, the truth becomes clear: living for self-gratification leads to death, but dying to self—surrendering fully to Christ—leads to eternal life.

Isn’t it ironic that the signs of Jesus’ return, as described in 2 Timothy 3, are marked by selfish ambition and disregard for others? Look around. Our world glorifies self-fulfillment, personal gain, and indulgence. But the end of that road is loss—eternal loss.

The battle between selfishness and selflessness rages within every human heart. Every decision draws the line again: will we live for self, or for God and others? Look inward. What drives you? Is your love for God and your neighbor greater than your love of self?

When we finally understand the mystery of the Kingdom, we discover the beauty of divine paradox: less is more, decrease is increase, giving is saving, and dying is living.

With Gratitude, Pastor Jesse