Bible Reading: Matthew 16
Matthew 16:26 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?
What does it mean when Jesus refers to a man gaining the whole world? Could it mean gaining a great amount of money, fame, influence or power? Could it mean the person who achieves greatness in the eyes of the world? Many sports heroes of our day might fit the bill. The wealthy and powerful would fit into this, but what about the person who has yet to gain these things, but is dead set on that being his/her goal?
Should we not let Jesus head this off at the pass? Not only is it no profit to gain the whole world and lose your own soul, but Jesus is helping us to understand that by pursuing this as your goal, you are headed for a major loss!
What does it mean to lose your soul? Well, certainly it means to be sentenced to hell for eternity. This is the destiny of every person who does not believe on Jesus Christ. It is also a loss of soul to live in this life without a relationship with God. Since we are created y him to worship him with all our soul, if we do not worship him, we will worship something.
Mark 12:29-30 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
If you do not worship the true God, you will worship something. Will you worship money? Will you worship power? Will you worship fame? Will you worship ability? The loss of soul happens when you do not use your soul to worship God. Since he created it, he knows exactly what it is for and the powerful attraction this world has on us. If you lose your soul what would you give in exchange for it? What will you present to God on judgment day? If you wasted your soul on this world and your soul is designed to worship God, what will you have to show?
The answer to these questions is nothing. Nothing can replace the human soul. It is costly. It cost the death of the Son of God to redeem it. Love God, don’t love the world.
In Christ,
Rody
