JEFF TURNER

In John 12:25, Jesus gives a striking statement: those who love their life will lose it, but those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternity. This does not mean despising life in a bitter way. Instead, it describes giving up self as the highest priority.

To “hate” your life in this sense is to surrender it fully to Christ, treating it as something you no longer own. It is a choice to set aside selfish ambitions and live for God’s purposes and will. This surrender begins with confessing Jesus as Lord, worshipping him, and submitting to his direction.

When a person does this, they gain the eternal life that God promises. In giving up control to Christ, we receive a life that far surpasses anything we could achieve on our own.

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

Matthew 16:25