HATE LIFE TO FIND IT!

“He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this
world shall keep it unto life eternal" (John 12:25).

The key to abundant life is right here in this seemingly insignificant and
confusing statement. This is his challenge to our small world! Understanding
what he means here is the door to a life-giving revelation. Jesus also said:
"If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and
children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be
my disciple" (Luke 14:26).

Certainly Christ cannot mean hate in terms of a classic dictionary
interpretation: to loathe or detest; to dislike or reject. God's Word says,
"Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer…" (1 John 3:15). "Husbands, love
your wives, and be not bitter against them" (Colossians 3:19).

It is not life that is to be hated, because life is a gift from God. It is not
people we hate; that is unscriptural.

We must learn to hate the way we are living life. We must hate what our
preoccupation with families and loved ones has done to us. Is your life all
wrapped up in just your children, husband, wife, or parents? Are all your joys
and problems limited to this small circle?

God is simply calling on us to widen our circle of living. Life must be more
than simply draperies, bills, kids' schooling, parents' welfare, family
relationships. Martha was addicted to a life of trivia but Mary wanted to grow!
Mary wanted to expand her horizons—and Jesus approved of Mary's approach to
life.

You cannot grow until you hate your present immaturity. You don't have to
forsake your duties and obligations to family and friends, but you can become
so bound by duty that it stunts your growth. One day you must wake up. A holy
anger, a holy hatred, must arise in your soul, and you must cry out, "Oh, God!
I hate what I have become. I hate my temper tantrums. I hate how irritable I am
at times. I hate my moodiness. I hate how small I have become. I hate it! I hate
it! I hate it!" You must hate your present life so much that you cry out to God,
“Lord, translate me into your glorious kingdom of power and victory!” (See
Colossians 1:13)

by David Wilkerson