It Is Only a Dead Me That Can Live Powerfully for Him
John 12:23-27, 42-43 I have no power in and of myself if I continue to live for me. But if I die to self, I can produce so much more. In the passage, Jesus compares Himself to a seed. I can also represent a seed. Therefore, the production of seeds (plural) means many more of me. In my life, I am to reproduce and the only way to reproduce is to die to self like the seed dies and thus becomes many seeds. The problem is that often enough I love this life. By loving it, I'm losing it. In order to keep it for eternity, I must hate this life. How do I hate this life? Jesus gives the answer. By serving and following Jesus I am demonstrating distaste for this life as I savor Christ instead. A reward awaits me if I follow this path and that reward is the Father's honor. Many leaders of Jesus' day believed in Jesus. That is good, right? Well, maybe. Fear stopped them from confessing Him openly. They counted the cost a...