Is the Price RIGHT?
January 31, 2012
Have you ever considered the essential questions pertaining to your existence in this life and the next? You know… questions like: Is there a God? Who is He? Am I a product of random chance or did God, create me? If so, what was His purpose in creating me? Why is there death and pain in the world? When my physical man dies will my soul live? If so, where will my soul live? Do I have a part in deciding?
If you have not already taken the time to answer such questions, I beg you to do so now; for truly all of these questions will lead you to making the right choice, which also happens to be the intention of today’s topic, ”the importance of our soul.”
Observation:
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
Background:
Inspired by the Holy Spirit of God, this Gospel was written by St Matthew. In our particular scripture text Christ speaks to His disciples concerning his sufferings for them, and theirs (ours) for Him; such has been written for our learning. To fully understand verse 26 we must step back two verses prior (v. 24-25); 24Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.25For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. Here we find that life and death, good and evil, the blessing and the curse, are set before us.
Interpretation:
The soul is the life of a man. 7And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Genesis 2:7
Every man has a soul of his own - The soul is the spiritual and immortal part of man, which thinks and reasons. In respect of dominion and property we do not own our own souls (for we are not our own, All souls are mine, saith God). Ezekiel 18:4 – Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. Yet as far as in respect of nearness and concern; our souls are our own, for they are ourselves.
It is possible for the soul to be lost, and there is danger of it. The soul is lost when it is separated from the favor of God, and sunk under His wrath and curse.
If the soul be lost, it is of the sinner’s own losing, – Why? because each of us has the freewill choice of surrendering our souls to the care of God, through the person of His Son, Jesus Christ –
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
Such a precious question, which should prompt concern; for the soul of man is without a doubt the most precious commodity; therefore our souls should be valued above all earthly treasures. Our verse alludes to that common principle, that, whatever a man gets, if he loses his life, it will do him no good, he cannot enjoy his gains.
Notice here the whole world is set on a scale against one’s soul… when weighed in the balance of all things one’s soul is worth more than the entire world. Our own souls are of greater value to us than all the wealth, honor, and pleasures of this present time, if we had them.
The loss of the soul is so great of a loss that the gain of the whole world will not compensate for it. The person, who focuses solely on the temporary gains in this life, makes a very bad bargain for eternity at which they will utterly be counted as a loser.
Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Because Christ laid down His life to redeem our souls, to restore the possession of them to us, we have the freewill choice to surrender ourselves as followers of Him. Should we neglect to acknowledge God’s grand gift of grace to us through Christ, by foolishly putting the obtainment of things in this world above the obtainment of a true relationship with Him by accepting Him as Lord, there remains no more sacrifice for sins, the justice of redemption is eternally not permitted.
Once the soul be lost, it is lost forever. There is no counter-price that can be paid, or will be accepted. It is a loss that can never be repaired, and never be retrieved.
Application:
Therefore it is good to be wise while yet still alive, for if death catches a person before they have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior their soul is lost.
26Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; 27A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: 28And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known. Deuteronomy 11:26-28
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
If you have not accepted salvation in Christ, WHY NOT DO SO TODAY? Just visit my website @ www.YolandaShanks.com and select the 1st Tab on your left “God’s Plan of Salvation”
2 Responses to Is the Price RIGHT?
-
Lacerte says:
You can definitely see your enthusiasm within the paintings you write. The sector hopes for more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to say how they believe. At all times go after your heart.
I just like the helpful information you supply on your articles. I’ll bookmark your weblog and take a look at once more right here frequently. I am relatively sure I will be informed of a lot of new stuff proper here! Best of luck for the next!