Scripture: “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” – Matthew 16:26
Examination: In the beginning of this chapter, Jesus basically rebukes the religious leaders of Israel for their teachings and practices. Midway, Jesus asks who the disciples believe He really is. When Peter responds that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (v 16), the Lord affirms this. Finally, in the latter part of the chapter, Jesus speaks to His disciples about His suffering and death. When Peter protests, Jesus chastises him, then explains that the soul is more important than anything in the world including one’s life.
Application: I heard a very challenging message in church today by Missionary T.J. Bing. He and his wife, Hannah, plan to serve the Lord in Italy. This blog will be incorporating some very important concepts he shared in his message to the church today.
The value or worth of something is usually determined by what someone is willing to pay, exchange, or do for it. This is different for each individual. For example, if I were stranded on a desert island, I’d pay a lot for a boat to get me back home. But if someone lived in a place without a nearby lake or river, a boat would have little value to them.
From a spiritual perspective, we must ask ourselves, “How much is the human soul worth?” To God, our souls are incredibly valuable. So much so that He sacrificed Himself, in the person of Jesus Christ, to give us the opportunity to spend eternity with Him in heaven instead of a Christless eternity in hell, which as sinners, we deserve. Even when we were His enemy, the value He placed upon our souls compelled Him to make a way for our sins to be forgiven, and that way was on the cross.
God knew that millions upon millions of people would never accept Christ as Saviour, and thus would choose hell over heaven, yet He died for all. Romans 5:8 reminds us, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” No matter who we are; no matter where we live; no matter what religion we claim; no matter what language we speak… Jesus died for and offers a “whosoever” salvation to everyone. But it’s a personal salvation. No one can obtain salvation for you. No one can pray you into heaven; no one can ask God’s forgiveness for anyone’s sins but their own. Additionally, you can’t earn your salvation. Nothing you do, including attending church, getting baptized, tithing money, giving to the poor, etc., can merit heaven for you. There is nothing you can do to work your way into heaven because in God’s eyes, our works are just like filthy dirty rags. Isaiah 64:6 reminds us, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”
The bottom line is there is only one way to heaven, and that’s through Jesus Christ. He said, “…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6). Truthfully, if there really was another way to get to heaven, it would have been pretty foolish of Jesus to choose to die a horrific tortuous death on the cross. But it wasn’t foolishness; it was divine love that nailed Jesus to the cross, and it’s this love that saves us from our sins and promises us eternal life in heaven.
So, what is it that is so important to you that it keeps you from Jesus. Career? Social media followers? Money in the bank? Embarrassment? Friends? Something else? Are any of those worth more than your soul? Are any of those worth spending eternity in hell?
Joshua made this statement when speaking to the nation of Israel after they had settled in the land God promised to them. “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15)
This could easily be reworded to be more relevant for today: “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the career ladder you seek to climb, or the followers you desire on social media, or the company you presently keep…” Your soul’s place for all eternity is the most important thing to consider. If you choose Jesus, then you can say, like Joshua, “…but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Everyone will have eternal life, but as every realtor knows, the most important thing is location, location, location! It’s the same for eternity. The location for everyone is either heaven or hell. How important to you is your eternal home?
Choosing Jesus is really quite simple. Romans 10:13 states, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Your soul is worth everything to God, and He did everything He could to save it. How valuable is your soul and its eternal home to you?
Memory Verse: “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” – Acts 16:31
I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus; no turning back; no turning back.
The cross before me, the world behind me;
The cross before me, the world behind me;
The cross before me, the world behind me; no turning back, no turning back.
(from “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” by Sadhu Sundar Singh/Simon Marak)