Among the many paradoxes we find in Jesus’ teaching is this: whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
When we think of the things we love, we automatically think of things we want to keep, not lose. And when we think of the things we hate, we automatically think of things we wouldn’t mind losing, or giving up altogether; things we certainly would not consider keeping for eternity!
So what are we to make of this teaching?