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 16:26 (NKJV)
The questions that Jesus proposes in the scriptures above are great! And they are being proposed each and every day to millions of people throughout the world. It is a question that Satan and his emissaries are proposing, one tempting deal at a time. What would you like in exchange for your soul?
Do you remember the TV show, Lets make a deal? The host Monty Hall would enter the trading floor, filled with 33 people dressed up in costumes who were chosen before the program taped. Hall would pick one, two, three, or more people to work with on a particular deal, swapping items for small dollar amounts or prizes and then offering them possible larger prizes, depending on their hunches.
The danger was always that the contestant(s) would trade their prizes for worthless prizes, called zonks these zonks could include a giant jar of peanut butter, a cow, and so on.
With about eight minutes left in the show, Monty would offer two contestants who had won real prizes to trade for a chance at the Big Deal of the Day, which was behind one of three doors. These prizes were generally worth several thousand dollars. The risk was if they didnt pick the right door, they might trade for prizes of a lesser value.
When I see the way some people approach Christianity, it makes me think of this game show. I have seen people work very hard in their life for their fun, wealth and social status. There are some who have made their job, and the obtaining the pleasures of this world, their greatest priority over everything else. They might even say that it isnt the case, but it is easily detected because it is what comes first to them over God, spouse and children. And it is usually where the most resources, the greatest effort and attention are being given. What amazes me is that even after succeeding in these worldly quests, there is usually something missing and therefore, they are not satisfied.
So after striving for, and obtaining the toys, the houses, the money, and the worldly popular friends, they still have a hole in their heart that hasnt been filled. Truth be told, it can never be with any of these items; or anything else in this world for that matter. This hole was created by God and can only be filled by Jesus.
I have shared this message with many people over the years, and it is great to see when someone receives it and they enter into a relationship with the Lord. And yet there have been many, it seems, that when they are offered this better way by accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, they look at what they possess and think to themselves, I already have my way of life, and all of this stuff, I dont know if it is really worth giving up.
Its almost as if they dont believe that they might receive what is being offered, and that they might actually lose what they have.
But thats not what the bible tells us. In fact, it says just the opposite. If we are willing to lose our life for the Lord, and the Gospel, we will actually save it.
For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospels will save it. Mark 8:35 (NKJV)
Longing for worldly possessions and pleasures and thinking that theyll bring you a lasting happiness, security, or peace of mind is a lie. It is only a matter of time before you tire of the old things that you have, and desire a replacement. Those things that you once craved for are now seemingly worthless and can be exchanged for something new that brings a new sense of excitement. And the process starts over again.
Everything we see in this world is temporary. It is all going to wither, fade, rust or burn. All that will be left is the integrity or lack thereof for each decision that was made to make the trade.
If youre a Christian, then you already made the best deal possible. Youve picked the right door, and youve won the grand prize.
Dont second-guess your choice because its just the enemy tempting you to believe that having something else would make you happier. If the enemy can get you to bite on that one, he will then set the hook of sin and real you in. As you sit there hooked up in the bondage that comes with that choice, he will come back and condemn you and then mock you for your choice so that you live in defeat.
Hey Christian, stay focused on the truth of Gods Word, and remember what you have been given for choosing Christ. Stay focused on the eternal never-ending prizes and benefits rather than the false temporal temptations that you will face this day.
STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn from Jesus in these scriptures above?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Is there something that you are putting a higher value on then your daily relationship with the Lord?
APPLICATION: Keep your eyes on eternity. Keep working towards those things that will make a difference for eternity. Remember that the things of this world are all going to perish, and they are all temporal. Open your bible daily and read it, because it will keep you balanced, focused, and on course.
The questions that Jesus proposes in the scriptures above are great! And they are being proposed each and every day to millions of people throughout the world. It is a question that Satan and his emissaries are proposing, one tempting deal at a time. What would you like in exchange for your soul?
Do you remember the TV show, Lets make a deal? The host Monty Hall would enter the trading floor, filled with 33 people dressed up in costumes who were chosen before the program taped. Hall would pick one, two, three, or more people to work with on a particular deal, swapping items for small dollar amounts or prizes and then offering them possible larger prizes, depending on their hunches.
The danger was always that the contestant(s) would trade their prizes for worthless prizes, called zonks these zonks could include a giant jar of peanut butter, a cow, and so on.
With about eight minutes left in the show, Monty would offer two contestants who had won real prizes to trade for a chance at the Big Deal of the Day, which was behind one of three doors. These prizes were generally worth several thousand dollars. The risk was if they didnt pick the right door, they might trade for prizes of a lesser value.
When I see the way some people approach Christianity, it makes me think of this game show. I have seen people work very hard in their life for their fun, wealth and social status. There are some who have made their job, and the obtaining the pleasures of this world, their greatest priority over everything else. They might even say that it isnt the case, but it is easily detected because it is what comes first to them over God, spouse and children. And it is usually where the most resources, the greatest effort and attention are being given. What amazes me is that even after succeeding in these worldly quests, there is usually something missing and therefore, they are not satisfied.
So after striving for, and obtaining the toys, the houses, the money, and the worldly popular friends, they still have a hole in their heart that hasnt been filled. Truth be told, it can never be with any of these items; or anything else in this world for that matter. This hole was created by God and can only be filled by Jesus.
I have shared this message with many people over the years, and it is great to see when someone receives it and they enter into a relationship with the Lord. And yet there have been many, it seems, that when they are offered this better way by accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, they look at what they possess and think to themselves, I already have my way of life, and all of this stuff, I dont know if it is really worth giving up.
Its almost as if they dont believe that they might receive what is being offered, and that they might actually lose what they have.
But thats not what the bible tells us. In fact, it says just the opposite. If we are willing to lose our life for the Lord, and the Gospel, we will actually save it.
For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospels will save it. Mark 8:35 (NKJV)
Longing for worldly possessions and pleasures and thinking that theyll bring you a lasting happiness, security, or peace of mind is a lie. It is only a matter of time before you tire of the old things that you have, and desire a replacement. Those things that you once craved for are now seemingly worthless and can be exchanged for something new that brings a new sense of excitement. And the process starts over again.
Everything we see in this world is temporary. It is all going to wither, fade, rust or burn. All that will be left is the integrity or lack thereof for each decision that was made to make the trade.
If youre a Christian, then you already made the best deal possible. Youve picked the right door, and youve won the grand prize.
Dont second-guess your choice because its just the enemy tempting you to believe that having something else would make you happier. If the enemy can get you to bite on that one, he will then set the hook of sin and real you in. As you sit there hooked up in the bondage that comes with that choice, he will come back and condemn you and then mock you for your choice so that you live in defeat.
Hey Christian, stay focused on the truth of Gods Word, and remember what you have been given for choosing Christ. Stay focused on the eternal never-ending prizes and benefits rather than the false temporal temptations that you will face this day.
STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn from Jesus in these scriptures above?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Is there something that you are putting a higher value on then your daily relationship with the Lord?
APPLICATION: Keep your eyes on eternity. Keep working towards those things that will make a difference for eternity. Remember that the things of this world are all going to perish, and they are all temporal. Open your bible daily and read it, because it will keep you balanced, focused, and on course.
No comments:
Post a Comment