How Much is Our Soul Worth?

N.T. #382 "How Much is our Soul Worth?"

Sept. 3, 2024 

Mark 8-Part 11

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? (verses 35-36)

LET IT GLOW 

I have picture of dirty tennis shoes titled, "How are you walking?" on my desk. I look up and see it, needing to reevaluate my spiritual walk of life. Some days my walk is by stumbling, while other days it is straight and good. Are we following Jesus? Are we obeying God and His Word? Are we denying ourself? Those are hard questions. Yet Jesus told us to if we are to following Him and please the Father. (verse 34)

Self-denial means giving up one's rights. Sometimes God requires abandoning our personal property, and other times He does not. the cross-bearing penitent sinner becomes aware that he cannot save himself, and holding nothing back, surrenders completely to God's mercy. 

Follow means to move behind someone in the same direction or to come after. 

We are commanded to do as Jesus did and to follow in His footsteps. It is a necessary condition of discipleship. 

In our key verse, life means life or soul. 

In other words, whoever wishes to save his physical life will lose his spiritual life, but whoever turns over his physical life for Jesus' sake and the gospel's will save his spiritual life. Which is the better investment in the long run?

Jesus wants us to choose to follow Him rather than to lead a life of sin and self-satisfaction. Let Him direct us instead of controlling our own life and destiny.  Jesus asks for submission and loose our self-centered determination to be in charge. (Life Application Study Bible)

Are God's plans and priorities what we seek and hold onto or is it the worldly ideas, attitudes, actions, or material possessions? Whatever it is that is holding us back from completely selling out, we must let them go.

LET IT GROW 

Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. (verse 38)

Webster's Dictionary tells us the meaning of ashamed is to feel guilt, disgrace, inferior, unworthy.

So if we are embarrassed or disgraced of Jesus, then He will do the same toward us before God when we die and stand before a holy God-Judge. 

We only have one life to live, what is done for Jesus is what will last. If we know Jesus is in our heart, then we should not be embarrassed. Be careful that we don't let the pleasures in this world replace the true meaning of life-loving Jesus and others. Be filled with joy and not shame.

LET IT GO

Is there anything keeping us from following Jesus?

Are we daily giving up our rights so we can follow Jesus?