Monday 19 November 2012

The World Is Not Enough.

Matthew 16:26
"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?"

Very pertinent questions.  How they challenge us!  They bring us up sharp.  They face us with eternal realities.  This is the unavoidable choice that faces all of us.  It's a decision we take many times every day.  We are either deciding for the world and against our soul, or we are putting soul matters before everything else, including the world.  But we do not and cannot do both. 

Many are striving for the world and for all it offers, and in so doing they are losing their souls.  They are driven by money and wealth and riches, with a little religion, evangelical and reformed of course, thrown in.  The religious 'add-on' is what makes these people Christian; but leaving that aspect aside, one would be hard pressed to tell any difference between them and your common worldling.

What are you doing to your soul?  What are you prepared to do to gain the whole world - lose your never-dying soul?  To lose your precious soul is to end up an unspeakable loser.  And that loss cannot be recovered again.  Your soul will be lost forever, FOREVER.  That spiritual, invisible and immortal part of who you are lost forever.  Your soul is the real you.  For your soul to be lost is for you to be lost. 

When is your soul lost?  When it is separated eternally from the favour of God and sunk under His wrath and curse.  When your soul is lost, it is lost forever.  It is irretrievably lost.  There is no price that can be paid or deed done that will undo your wicked decision.

The world is not enough to satisfy your soul.  And even if you could gain it, and everything in it, you will end up a miserable loser.

Do you want that?  It can be avoided, you know.  The only safe thing to do with your soul, with your self, with YOU, is to give it to Jesus for safe-keeping.  Gain Christ, and the world will count for nothing.   Gain the world, and you'll be lost for eternity.

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