MONDAY October 16, 2023
What Will You Give for Your Soul?
“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Matthew 16:25-26
Jesus asked his disciples some rhetorical questions in order to make known to them His identity as the Messiah (Matthew 16:13-18). With this knowledge must come the realization that following Jesus would not be easy. His disciples needed to learn the cost of following Him. What was the cost for them to follow Jesus Christ? It would cost them their lives.
Jesus knew the hearts of men. People are changeable in their commitments––they sell out cheap! It is amazing how people turn away from their commitment to follow Christ. Worldly enticements draw them away. Some people are lured by fame; they sell their souls to settle instead for a big contract and lots of money.
Some people fail to follow Christ because they get caught up with their homes, cars and other material things. They feel secure with their credit cards and saving accounts. They anchor their lives to this world and all that they own. Sadly, they neglect the reality that material things are temporal. No one is guaranteed tomorrow. You may leave home tomorrow and die in an earthquake or in a car crash. Think about it. When you die, you leave your money behind for someone else to spend.
Think of our existence––our lives are as a vapor of smoke! In the book of James we find this reasoned perspective:
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away (James 4:13-14).
What will you give in exchange for your soul? Why not lose your life so you can find it in Jesus Christ? Keep an eternal perspective in this life.
Suppose you could gain everything in the whole world, and lost your soul. Was it worth it?
~Billy Graham~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
