John 12:24-26

[※※♡Rose○Gold○Macaron♡※※]

I have been wondering what these verses meant. What does Jesus mean when He says to hate your life? How can I do this so I will gain my life in Heaven?

Does He mean to not enjoy your life? I'm sure God wants us to enjoy life.

Does He mean to hate how bad life can be, seeing sin all around you? It... makes sense in a way???

Does He mean to not like life that much so you'll be able to eagerly wait for Him to come and take us up into Heaven, and to be okay with being martyred? I think this is what it means but I could be wrong.

 

[Scottish Highlander]

The verses John: 24-26 say this

Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. And Jesus answered them, "the last hour as come for the son of man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone: but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life, If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor them."

The notes in my Bible say this: Here again Jesus speaks in absolute terms to emphasize a point: loves his life means "delights in his life in this world more than God," and hates his life in this world means, by contrast, "thinks so little of his life, much of God, that he is willing to sacrifice it all for God." Following Christ entails self-sacrifice, shown supremely at the cross.

God bless, I hope this helped.

 

[Gregorikos]

John 12:24-26 (Believers Bible Commentary)
12:24 Seed never produces grain until first it falls into the ground and dies. The Lord Jesus here referred to Himself as a grain (or kernel) of wheat. If He did not die, He would abide alone. He would enjoy the glories of heaven by Himself; there would be no saved sinners there to share His glory. But if He died, He would provide a way of salvation by which many might be saved. The same applies to us, as T. G. Ragland says: If we refuse to be corns of wheat—falling into the ground, and dying; if we will neither sacrifice prospects, nor risk character, and property, and health; nor, when we are called, relinquish home, and break family ties, for Christ’s sake; then we shall abide alone. But if we wish to be fruitful, we must follow our Blessed Lord Himself, by becoming a corn of wheat, and dying, then we shall bring forth much fruit.

12:25 Many people think that the important things in life are food, clothing, and pleasure. They live for these things. But in thus loving their lives, they fail to realize that the soul is more important than the body. By neglecting their soul’s welfare, they lose their lives. On the other hand, there are those who count all things loss for Christ. To serve Him, they forego things highly prized among men. These are the people who will keep their lives for eternal life. To hate one’s life means to love Christ more than one loves his own interests.

12:26 To serve Christ, one must follow Him. He would have His servants obey His teachings and resemble Him morally. They must apply the example of His death to themselves. All servants are promised the constant presence and protection of their Master, and this applies not only to the present life but to eternity as well. Service now will receive God’s approval in a coming day. Whatever one suffers of shame or reproach here will be small indeed compared to the glory of being publicly commended by God the Father in heaven!

 

[※※♡Rose○Gold○Macaron♡※※]

The verses John: 24-26 say this

Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. And Jesus answered them, "the last hour as come for the son of man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone: but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life, If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor them."

The notes in my Bible say this: Here again Jesus speaks in absolute terms to emphasize a point: loves his life means "delights in his life in this world more than God," and hates his life in this world means, by contrast, "thinks so little of his life, much of God, that he is willing to sacrifice it all for God." Following Christ entails self-sacrifice, shown supremely at the cross.

God bless, I hope this helped.

So... How can I apply this to my life? What do I have to sacrifice? How should I hate my life? Is there anything wrong with simply enjoying it? I heard that God wants us to enjoy our lives, but I'm confused.

 

[※※♡Rose○Gold○Macaron♡※※]

12:24The same applies to us, as T. G. Ragland says: If we refuse to be corns of wheat—falling into the ground, and dying; if we will neither sacrifice prospects, nor risk character, and property, and health; nor, when we are called, relinquish home, and break family ties, for Christ’s sake; then we shall abide alone

What does that mean? Does this mean I have to leave my home? Also, why would I have to break family ties?

 

[Gregorikos]

What does that mean? Does this mean I have to leave my home? Also, why would I have to break family ties?

Hopefully not. God created the family, and he is very pro-family overall. This only applies if the family situation is such that you have to choose between family and God. In that case, Jesus is saying that God is the correct choice.

 

[※※♡Rose○Gold○Macaron♡※※]

Hopefully not. God created the family, and he is very pro-family overall. This only applies if the family situation is such that you have to choose between family and God. In that case, Jesus is saying that God is the correct choice.

Oh, I get it. That makes sense. I mean, if the parents didn't want their child to be a Christian, and they'd kick them out, the Christian would inevitably have to move out. I'm sure parents back in Jesus' day did that, and I think Jesus Himself said something like that in the Bible.

 

[Gregorikos]

Oh, I get it. That makes sense. I mean, if the parents didn't want their child to be a Christian, and they'd kick them out, the Christian would inevitably have to move out. I'm sure parents back in Jesus' day did that, and I think Jesus Himself said something like that in the Bible.

Sadly, parents nowadays do it too. My wife's dad said he'd have rather she became a prostitute than a follower of Christ.

 

[Scottish Highlander]

So... How can I apply this to my life? What do I have to sacrifice? How should I hate my life? Is there anything wrong with simply enjoying it? I heard that God wants us to enjoy our lives, but I'm confused.

From what I gather, Jesus says to enjoy your life but to not value it above anything else. The Lord goes before anything else. That may be absolutely wrong and I don't mean to lead you in the wrong path but I struggle myself with how to interpret these versus, despite me having a study Bible.

 

[※※♡Rose○Gold○Macaron♡※※]

From what I gather, Jesus says to enjoy your life but to not value it above anything else. The Lord goes before anything else. That may be absolutely wrong and I don't mean to lead you in the wrong path but I struggle myself with how to interpret these versus, despite me having a study Bible.

I see.

 

[Scottish Highlander]

I see.

Yes, I'm sorry. I was going to give you some long-winded answer but I didn't want to cheat you or lie to you. It's okay when we don't know something off hand and this is one of those times. I'm not a preacher but I would like to be, or at least because to say "this verse means this" like this example with you. Sadly, I am not at that level. I hope thus far I have helped you with the little bit of knowledge that I have about it.

 

[Davy]

I have been wondering what these verses meant. What does Jesus mean when He says to hate your life? How can I do this so I will gain my life in Heaven?

Does He mean to not enjoy your life? I'm sure God wants us to enjoy life.

Does He mean to hate how bad life can be, seeing sin all around you? It... makes sense in a way???

Does He mean to not like life that much so you'll be able to eagerly wait for Him to come and take us up into Heaven, and to be okay with being martyred? I think this is what it means but I could be wrong.

He means to follow Him. Stay in Him. Stay working in the field for Him, waiting for His coming. He applied this for different timings, but especially for the very end during the coming tribulation at the end of this world.

It does not necessarily mean go sell all that you have and become a nun, though nothing wrong with that if one so desires it. It means be prepared for trial and tribulation while remaining in Christ Jesus. He forewarned us for the end especially that we would be hated by the whole world for our Faith. That is primary, more important than fame and treasure, for those things will perish with this world.

One of the main warnings for today's time nearing the end of this world, is the coming first of the Antichrist who will mimic our Lord Jesus in Jerusalem (KJV Matt.24:24 of "false Christs" = a singular false Christ; 'a spurious Messiah' per Dr. James Strong's Concordance). We are warned to not be deceived by that false one, nor bow to the "image of the beast" (Matthew 24; Mark 13; Revelation 13).

Luke 17:26-34
26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.
32 Remember Lot's wife.
33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
KJV

Matt 10:38-39
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for My sake shall find it.
KJV

Matt 16:25-27
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it.
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works.
KJV

Rev 2:9-10
9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
KJV