Matthew 16_25

October 14
Happy Sunday Everyone,
 
The scripture for today is Matthew 16:25
 
Matthew 16:25-26 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 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?
 
Here Jesus asks two critical questions: What is profited by gaining the entire world and losing your soul and what can a person give in exchange for their soul? The answer to both are the same; nothing. Should we pursue this brief life here and try to secure for ourselves temporary pleasures through the flesh or do we choose to seek everlasting life and joy that cannot be secured by worldly means. The path to everlasting life goes through the cross.
      
While the cross may seem to be a difficult place and a heavy burden to bear, it is really the place of our redemption. Jesus has already made the indescribably painful sacrifice there. When we embrace the cross we are carrying the sign of our redemption, a symbol of the death of the old life influenced by Satan and sin. That life of sin, having been crucified on the cross with Christ, no longer has power over us as long as we embrace the cross and recognize that we are dead with Christ. The old life was a pitiful life of sin anyway; full of lies and false hopes and vain ambitions. In return for giving up that selfish and sinful life, Christ gives us His life of love eternal and joy unspeakable. What a wonderful exchange; our sinful rags for His sinless riches. We find new life in Christ; eternal life where, in the presence of the Lord, there is "fullness of joy" and "pleasures forevermore" Psalm 16:11
 
God bless you as you continue in His service.
Tim