What Will You Give?

Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!”

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”   (Luke 18:28-30 NIV)

John the Baptist wandered alone in the wilderness announcing the coming of the Messiah and baptizing for repentance. His family did not join him as he ate locust and honey. The disciples of Jesus left everyone and everything behind them to follow Jesus. Mary lost her son. He was crucified. Since that time, multitudes of Christians have given their very lives for the faithfulness in proclaiming Jesus as their Savior and King.

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? (Luke 9::23-25)

Are we truly willing to give even our lives to follow Jesus? (Just something we ought to give serious consideration to every once in awhile throughout our lives.) What are you willing to give?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Gain World or Forfeit Your Soul?

What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? (Mark 8:36 NIV) 

 

What good is it, indeed! 

 

What good is it to have riches of this world, yet lose your soul. I am very rich even though my husband and I have no large sums of money. We do have enough though because God has always provided us with those things that we need and even with a few luxuries. I have been busy focusing on liquidating and simplifying our lives as much as I can. The more "stuff" one has; the more there is to care for and there can be no comparison between caring for stuff and caring for God's children. 

 

What good is it to become one of the celebrities in the world and have no time or energy left to love and serve the Lord our God? Life in this world is very short. Eternal life in the presence of Almighty God, promised through faith in Jesus Christ, is just that: eternal life.

 

What good is it to indulge in the momentary pleasures of this world and sacrifice your  soul? Why seek the momentary pleasures that comes with the use of drugs or alcohol or any other such vice that steals away your life. They will not only steal you life away here on earth; but, threaten to do steal away your soul. Let the presence of God in Christ Jesus bring you peace and joy beyond measure. Nothing else can compare to His loving presence.

 

It is not for us to love or fear the things of this world. We should not fear anything of this world; but, strive in all things to serve the Lord above all things. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matt 10:28)

 

We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things. (Martin Luther; Small Catechism) Place your hope and your whole life in the One who loves you so much that He gave His only begotten Son to die for you. Fear, love, and trust Him more than anything or anyone in this world. In this your soul will know peace here in the world and for all eternity in the Kingdom of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

World Or Your Soul?

What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

(Mark 8:36 NIV)

Life in this world is short. In Christ we have eternal life in the presence of God. I cannot help but wonder why anyone would exchange the fleeting pleasures of this world for the eternal peace found in the Kingdom of God. Are all of the false idols; all of the ill-gotten gains; all the reprobate pleasures, really worth the condemnation of your soul?

Jesus said, "For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it." (Mark 8:35) What does this mean!? It means simply this: that you are willing for your desire for pleasures in this world are put to death so that you might live in the most desirable place: in the presence of God; in His Kingdom. Your ego must die in order for Christ to live in you and you in Christ. If you truly want to live life then focus on the Kingdom of God rather than the temporary pleasures (which in reality are not genuine or lasting pleasures) of this world.

Are you willing to lose your soul; are you willing to forfeit eternal life in God's presence; to gain the things that you desire in this world? The priority; the main thing; must always be Jesus the Christ and his Kingdom.

God's Peace - Pr. J