A man interviewed for a job at a famous art gallery that housed dozens of priceless masterpieces. As part of the interview process, he was asked, “If a fire broke out in this gallery and you could only save one picture, which one would it be?” The man answered, “I’d save the one closest to the exit.”

Yes, the survival instinct is a very real thing. And we’ve all got a touch of it inside us, don’t we? As a character in an episode of an old western series once said, “When it comes to living a little longer, every man has some wolf in him.”

But this wolf poses a real problem for the Christian. As my way of identifying that problem, let me take that quote from that old western and rework it to make it fit Christianity. For the Christian, the quote would sound something like this: “When it comes to following Jesus Christ and serving Him, every Christian must have some sacrificial lamb in him.” As evidence of the scriptural accuracy of this reworked statement, consider the following passages (all from the N.K.J.V.):

“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:25)

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” (Matthew 5:38-39)

“I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.” (1 Corinthians 15:31)

“As it is written: ‘For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.’” (Romans 8:36)

“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (1 Timothy 3:12)

“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” (1 Peter 4:12-13)

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15)

How out of place these passages (and others like them) seem in this age of “health and wealth/prosperity” preaching. In such an age, sermons on topics such as self-sacrifice, turning the other cheek, and enduring persecution certainly don’t fill the pews of the average church, do they? And yet, this is the life of radical faith. This is the life of selling out to Jesus completely regardless of the consequences. This is the life of standard New Testament discipleship.

Again, Christian, we certainly aren’t talking about your self-preservation here. We certainly aren’t talking about you making comfort your top priority. We certainly aren’t talking about you chasing popularity as your life’s goal. You say you want safety, comfort, and praise from the masses? Then you’ll never live under the lordship of Jesus Christ. That just isn’t the life He is proposing when He says, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). Trust me, no one ever took up a Roman cross in order to live a little longer, enjoy himself, or win a popularity contest.

It’s not that Jesus wants us to go around with a death wish. Much to the contrary, He wants us to appreciate life and really LIVE it for Him. But let’s be clear about one thing: His idea of living life for Him is far different from our worldly ideas about what living it for Him looks like. We mustn’t forget that this is same Savior who said, “A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20). Those aren’t words that we Christians want to hear, are they? Undoubtedly, though, they are every bit as true and as relevant to us as John 3:16 is when it comes to us living for Christ.