“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Matthew 16:26
Dear Ones:
Perhaps one of the saddest commentaries of our world is that it is a place of immeasurable “loss.” It is true that there is great benefit living in this world, and perhaps, in certain countries. But because of the issue of man’s bent away from God, His defiance of His creator and redeemer, his loss is much more than that which is material, and social. Man was created by God as “a living soul.” That soul is eternal, as it has been given that quality by God. In light of eternity, the question then becomes, “will that which concerns my life endure forever for the glory and honor of God,” or, ” will it be lost forever, without merit or honor?” Our enemy would not have us think about eternity, and the issue of loss, or eternal gain. But that reality will not negate the fact that we shall all stand before our Maker to give account of our lives. It is only that which has been done and accomplished by and with Him, which shall endure, last forever, and truly count. However, to give some perspective, it must be understood that the measure of benefit from our works by the Spirit, can in no wise compare to the “crown of righteousness,” that blessed righteousness of Christ given to us when we trust in Him. The magnitude of Christ’s work on Calvary eclipses all else for time and eternity. This is why the length of our life is not the issue, nor the standard for “works” that we might set up in our minds. What matters is primarily “rejoicing in that our names are written” in heaven, and that we are clothed with the perfect righteousness of Christ.
There is but ONE sin that keeps us from heaven, and the “gain” of being with Christ. It is that resolved and defiant attitude of unbelief, the refusal to commit our souls to our Faithful Creator, to lose all that is of lesser value, in order to own Him, and be owned BY Him. This is the one sin that God cannot forgive if deliberately, decisively persisted in until death, for it is an act and attitude of refusing to RECEIVE from Christ “…all that pertains to Life and godliness,” all that is GOOD in Christ. We are called by God to be clean, good, and available RECEIVERS of His mercy and grace. It is in the measure that we are such that we shall be able to BE what we should be, and DO what He has called us to do. Paul put it like this, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Tim. 6:6) What we ARE to God, and consequently and most importantly, what He is to us, reveals to us a relationship that is of great WORTH and meaning, not only in the sight of God, but in our own hearts.
Dear Father, Thou Giver of every good and perfect gift, give us grace, in repentant faith, to “open our mouths wide,” trusting Thee to fill them. Enable us to truly understand what is of true “worth” and eternal gain. Save us from losing that which is most important, and deliver us from “majoring on that which is minor.” Strengthen our hearts to believe Thee wholly, committing all afresh to You every day, believing that You are the eternal Keeper of that which is entrusted to You. We thank Thee in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad