The Bearing of the Present on the Future Life
F. Godet, D. D. John 12:24-26 Truly, truly, I say to you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it stays alone: but if it die… The text — I. APPLIES TO THE POSITION CHRIST OCCUPIED AT THE TIME. The gratification of a selfish desire in Christ at this time meant the world's ruin — ruin intensified by the fact that the work of deliverance was so nearly completed. Christ was the exemplification of the text (chap. John 10:17, 18; 15:13; Galatians 2:20). II. THE GENERAL APPLICATION TO US. It points to two subjects on which we propose to dwell. 1. Selfishness indulged — the cause of irreparable loss. "He that loveth His life shall lose it." See how selfishness operates on and affects the life. (1) It isolates. Man is intended to be a social being. Selfishness shuts out society and turns a man in upon himself. (2) It debases. Man is intended to benefit his race. While getting good he is to do good. Selfishness obstructs the work of charity and usefulness. The life that should find loving room for all is reduced to its own enjoyment and gratification. (3) It destroys. "Shall lose it." An irreparable loss, which cannot be fully understood, but of which some conception may be formed when you consider — (a) The excellence of its nature — God-bestowed. (b) The duration of its existence — eternal. (c) The price of its redemption — the sacrificial death of Jesus.This leads us to ask, What is meant by loving life? Not the pure enjoyment of life by a healthy vigorous person, but the love bestowed without restraint on the purely animal life, indulging appetite, fulfilling sensual lusts and delights, following fashion, craving for fame, a passion for riches and pleasures — loving these more than Christ. The worldling who gives his soul for the world. 2. Self-denial practised — the security of eternal life. "He that hateth," etc. Self-denial is not a gift, but a cultivation developed by exercise and practice. It is the resurrection of our personality buried in the grave of deception. In self-denial we find our true selves. Man's choice lies between temporary gain and eternal loss. The false says the present; the true part of our nature says the future. "Hatred" of life is not misanthropy. It is this life loved less than the life to come; everything here treated as being incompetent to give true joy, preferring God's favour to all below. Crucifying the flesh, keeping the body under, enduring persecution for Christ's sake — the seed of "much fruit." "Shall keep it," etc. Selfishness enervates, loosens the grasp, and allows the treasure to slip away. Self-denial tightens the hold and retains possession. "Life eternal" — deliverance from trial, the enjoyment of rest and reward. (J. E. Hargreaves.) Parallel Verses KJV: Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. WEB: Most certainly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.