Today’s 333 Devotional: “To Win You Must Lose”

The world’s philosophy is that winning is everything. It’s the philosophy that says, “Whoever dies with the most toys wins.” It’s a philosophy that is taught in sports and business. It’s the desire to have at all cost security through status and possessions.

But it’s not supposed to be the Christian mentality. For the Christian, if he or she wants to win, they must lose. It’s a complete reversal of what we have been taught. But it’s the only way to win.

In Luke 17:33 Jesus said, “Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.”

And so if we want to acquire life we must be willing to give up the life we have.

In Jesus’ call to discipleship He said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?” (Luke 9:23-25)

Behind the win at all cost philosophy is Satan, whom Jesus calls a thief.

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” (John 10:10)

But that wasn’t how Jesus came. He went on to say, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”(John 10:10)

But to have this more abundant life, Jesus tells us we have to come in last.

“If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35)

If you want to win and have an abundant life both now and for all eternity, pick up your cross every day, die to your wants and desires, and become a servant. Then and only then will you begin to live for God.