A CHOICE OR A CRISIS
|
Mark 8:36-37 |
|
|
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? KJV |
What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? NIV |
If your Christianity is not experiential (observed, realistic and first-hand), you are not a Christian, because Christianity is not seen in what you have, but in where you are headed. The measure of your faith is the measure of your friendship with Jesus Christ.
Judas, when he realised what he had done, threw down the 30 pieces of silver he had obtained from the priests for betraying Jesus, and went out and hanged himself.
The Scriptures go on to tell us that it would have been better if he had not been born.
Our Scripture today asks a very pertinent question: What will a man profit if he gains the whole world and all its wealth and lose his soul? Riches and wealth beyond imagination for a short while, in exchange for an eternity of suffering. You can take from a man his wealth and you will hinder him. Take from a man his purpose, and you will slow him down. But take from a man his hope, and you will stop him. He can go on without wealth, and even without purpose for a while, but he will never go on without hope.
Sadly though, there are many who think that their wealth and riches will see them through and are so caught up in pursuing their goals of pleasure and power that they forget there will come the time of the death bed. And it is there that you will notice a marked change in attitude, because the fear of the unknown stares them squarely in the face. Where is their hope now? Everything that is built up here on earth, whether it be wealth, possessions or position, will remain on earth. Only things that count for eternity will remain for eternity, and because you, the real you, will be heading for eternity, there are only two places to go:
- A place where the Hope you received from Jesus Christ and which you cultivated whilst alive on earth becomes a reality. OR
- A place where there is no Hope.
The Bible warns us over and over again not to put our hope in things that will rust and where the moths will devour and corrupt (Matthew 6:20) but to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven, simply because that is where the future lies. Any hope you have that is not centred in Christ is NO HOPE at all. We were all once without God and without hope in this world, but for many of us that no longer applies. Does that apply to you?
You have a choice to make which will bring you into fellowship with the Saviour Jesus Christ, OR a crisis to face should you fail to heed the warnings and the signs.