Stop Trying—Receive Your Real IdentitySample

Day 5—Jesus’ Loss

What right does Jesus have to ask us to “lose ourselves to Him?” Doesn’t this seem a bit much? If salvation is free, doesn’t this invitation seem risky and costly?

Salvation truly is free—paid in full by Jesus on the cross. But being loved so lavishly and unconditionally is a redefining experience. Receiving this kind of love provokes a spiritual, heart response that essentially asks, “How do I respond to this extravagant love? How can I say thank you? How can I love Him back?”

The Christian journey was never meant to be a life asking, “What do I have to do to get God’s love or forgiveness ? How do I earn His favor or blessing?” No. In the shadow of the cross, the Christian life, in its entirety, becomes a life asking, “How do I say ‘I love you too?’” It is a responsive life. We love Him only because He first loved us so lavishly (1 John 4:19). 

Therefore, in the shadow of what Jesus did for us on the cross, His invitation to lose ourselves to Him becomes a “safe loss.” It is reasonable and free of fear or anxiety. It is a responsive love that says, “Since you lost yourself to save me, I trust you, and gladly lose myself to your love.” The kind of love Jesus has given you shows Him to be trustworthy! Losing yourself to Him isn’t risky but rather wonderfully rewarding! It’s not something you grieve or mourn, but something you enter into with anticipation and delight. He’s not a threat. He’s a rewarder of those who trust Him. 

Jesus’ lost Himself for you. Therefore, losing yourself to Him not only makes sense, but it’s the safest and most flourishing way to live. Why? Because in losing your self, you find the new self He died to redeem. This is who you truly are. Why? Because it’s who your Creator says you are.