A Love / Hate Relationship
Ambition:
A man dreamed that when he died he was taken by the angels to a beautiful temple. After admiring it for a time, he discovered that one stone was missing. All was finished but just one little stone that was left out. He said to the angel, "What is this stone left out for?" The angel replied, "That was left out for you, but you were waiting to do great things and so this was never finished." He was startled and woke, and resolved that he would become a faithful worker for God in little things. --D. L. Moody
25 He who loves (phileō) his life will lose it, and he who hates (miseō) his life in this world will keep it for eternal (aiōnios) life. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
-John 12:25-26
3 Products of this love / hate relationship
- A Paradox (self-contradiction) - v25
- Love (phileō) = affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interest
- Hate (miseō, or love less) = intense hostility and aversion (dislike)
- Eternity (aiōnios) = forever
If you dislike something, maybe a snake (story of mom on toilet), or a spider, do you spend your time telling the object of your aversion, or dislike, how much you dislike it? No! You avoid it like the plague. You don't give it attention beyond the necessity of the confrontation which reminded you that you dislike it!
If anyone comes to Me and does not hate (miseō) his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple -Luke 14:26
A Pupil v.26a*
- Serve
- a group of tourists visiting a picturesque village who walked by an old man sitting beside a fence. In a rather patronizing way, one tourist asked, "Were any great men born in this village?" The old man replied, "Nope, only babies." A frothy question brought a profound answer. There are no instant heroes.
- Don't take counsel of your fears or of appearances. Do your full duty, and you can safely leave the results to God. - B.H. Carroll
- Follow
- A leader is marked by a couple of traits
- if anyone is “following” them
- the fact that, to lead, one must, first, learn to follow
- So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.” -Matt. 20:16
- Obey
- Obedience is always a requirement of a “follower”. It is a prerequisite of anyone aspiring to leadership.
- IN SIMPLE TERMS: We must crawl before we walk!
- A Promise v.26b
- Serve
- Honor = to prize, to fix a valuation upon
He must increase, but I must decrease. -John 3:30