John 12:25 “He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.”
“He that loveth his life”; that is, “He that”, like “Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world” (II Timothy 4:10). Folks, like “Demas” do not want to give up pleasures, positions, comforts, security, wealth, and pleasures to worshipfully follow the Lord. They tend to like religion as long as it conforms to their preferred lifestyle and doesn’t interfere too much with their social desires for life. On the other hand, “he that hateth his life in this world”, are those who will joyfully obey and follow the Lord no matter what they are called upon to suffer or sacrifice of this life’s amenities. The Lord is speaking to His Children, “He that loveth his life shall lose it”; that is, there will come a day when they will lose all the pleasures, positions, comforts, security, wealth, and pleasures that they so coveted. But, those “that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal”, though they suffer many things, they are blessed with a “life” of sustaining joys and peace, warmly nestled in the Mighty Hand of God, “kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (I Peter 1:5). The phrase “shall keep it unto life eternal” does not mean they secure themselves for Eternal Life, it means they are watched over provided for and protected and loved until “life eternal” begins. Our Lord is about to lead the charge and set the example for us; He would soon sacrifice Himself to save His People from their sins. Should we not, as much as necessary, joyfully, daily, and with great energy “deny” ourselves the things of this “present world” “and take up” our “cross, and follow” our Lord, our Almighty God, our Savior, our Good Shepherd (Matthew 16:24). Let us sincerely ask with the Psalmist, “What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?” (Psalms 116:12)!