Losing Our Self

Sep 26 2025 - Eric Buresh

“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” —Matthew 16:25 (NKJV) 

I’ve been reminding myself of the mystery of Gospel-centered life for the last couple weeks. The words of Jesus here fall on the ears like a paradox, but they strike the heart with truth. The wisdom of the world declares, “Preserve yourself, fulfill yourself, exalt yourself.” But the wisdom of the Gospel declares the very opposite: “Lose yourself, surrender yourself, demote yourself.” And here again lies the great mystery of the Kingdom—that in the very act of letting go, we securely lay hold of true life. 

This call to lose one’s life is not about martyrdom, though some are called to that. It is about something far nearer to each of us—the death of self-rule, the surrender of our claim to godhood. By our fallen nature we enthrone ourselves, shaping our lives around self-defined desires and ambitions. But Christ demands the throne. To lose your life is to renounce the tyranny of self and yield to the reign of God as God. It is to pray, “Not my will, but Yours be done,” not once but every day. 

And note the phrase, “for My sake.” The world has known many ascetics who flogged the flesh or renounced comfort, but they did it for themselves. Their sacrifice was for their own glory or merit. But the Christian does not lose life for the sake of loss—we give up self-rule of our lives because we trust Him to make of them something far greater than we ever could. He is the artist, we the canvas; He the potter, we the clay. The glory is His, the joy is ours. 

Jesus’ teaching demands a new vision—a vision beyond the fleeting gains we can temporarily create. What does it profit us to clutch the dust of temporary pleasure and lose the gold of abundant joy? The one who dies to self-rule begins to live even today in the fullness of abundant life in Christ. 

Embrace the paradox. Do not fear the loss of self-rule, for in that loss of autonomy lies your true liberty. Do not resist the surrender, for in that surrender lies your strength. Lay down your life—your self-defined ambitions, your self-rule, your claim to be your own god—and in return, receive Christ Himself as the Good Shepherd. And in following Him you will discover life, abundant and full, life that cannot ever be taken away.