What are you trading?
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Matthew 16:26 The Context: In the final year of Jesus earthly ministry the opposition to Jesus was intensifying. The religious leaders opposed Jesus more and more. Jesus’ followers were seeing more clearly what it would cost to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Jesus told his disciples: “If anyone would come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” In the soberness of that moment He asked this question.
God Asks Us: what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?
Mark 8:36–37 (Lk 9:25) For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul?
JNE: We all have times of wishing we had more of what the world has to offer. This question simply challenges us to take a true measure of things and realize that the shiny, alluring things of this life are temporary at best and at worst could cost us the very thing that is most valuable for both now and eternity. Our soul is that part of us that has the potential to live in close relationship with God. Who in their right mind would give up that for a brief seventy years of wealth, fame, and selfish ease? What things am I wanting more than fellowship with God?
Read "The Gospel?"
Matthew 16:26 The Context: In the final year of Jesus earthly ministry the opposition to Jesus was intensifying. The religious leaders opposed Jesus more and more. Jesus’ followers were seeing more clearly what it would cost to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Jesus told his disciples: “If anyone would come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” In the soberness of that moment He asked this question.
God Asks Us: what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?
Mark 8:36–37 (Lk 9:25) For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul?
JNE: We all have times of wishing we had more of what the world has to offer. This question simply challenges us to take a true measure of things and realize that the shiny, alluring things of this life are temporary at best and at worst could cost us the very thing that is most valuable for both now and eternity. Our soul is that part of us that has the potential to live in close relationship with God. Who in their right mind would give up that for a brief seventy years of wealth, fame, and selfish ease? What things am I wanting more than fellowship with God?
Read "The Gospel?"