Luke 9:23–26

Nothing in this life is worth more than our salvation…nothing!

All things are for God’s glory!

A man once went to a minister for counseling. “I’ve lost everything!” he bemoaned.

“Oh,” the preacher said, “I’m so sorry to hear you’ve lost your faith.”

“No,” the man corrected him, “I haven’t lost my faith.”

“Oh well then,” the minister said, “I’m sad to hear you’ve lost your character.”

“I didn’t say that,” the man corrected. “I still have my character.”

“Then I’m so sorry to hear you’ve lost your salvation.”

“That’s not what I said,” the man objected, beginning to lose his patience.

The preacher explained, “You have your faith, your character, your salvation. Seems to me, you’ve lost none of the things that really matter.”

Max Lucado

Luke 9:23–26

23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels. The New King James Version

Although Jesus offered salvation as a free gift He also warned that following Him would entail suffering and hardship.

It makes no sense to attempt to save our lives on earth only to lose everything when our lives quickly and inevitably pass away. The wise course is to invest our earthly resources—our time, talents, and wealth—in what is eternal. Even if we lose our lives for Jesus’ sake, that investment will produce returns for all eternity. Recognition of Jesus will be rewarded in the coming judgment. Failure to recognize Him will lead to significant loss. The NKJV Study Bible

Denying himself refers to setting aside one’s interests for the sake of God’s kingdom. Jesus’ disciples must be willing to follow Him every day, no matter what the cost. Jesus also seems to be referring to people losing out on relationship with God in general—the true meaning of life. Those who embrace Jesus’ call to discipleship—including the difficulties it brings—will be saved. Faithlife Study Bible

We must never be ashamed of Christ and his gospel. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Matthew 10:33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 10:38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.

Matthew 10:39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

Luke 14:27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

John 12:25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.