For what will
it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? (Mark 8:36
NKJV)
Simon Peter
had been urging our Lord to spare Himself the suffering to which He had
referred, but He answered that this could not be for Himself, or for any other
who would follow in His footsteps. Proceeding from His own deep experience, He
went on to show that in the same measure every one must deny his own choice and
will and pleasure, in order that he may reach the highest life for himself and
others.
It is not
necessary for any man to make a cross; it is our part simply to take up that
which God has laid down for us. The cross is no exceptional piece of
asceticism, but it is the constant refusal to gratify our self life; the
perpetual dying to pride and self-indulgence, in order to follow Christ in His
redemptive mission for the salvation of men. And it is in proportion as men
live like this that they realize the deepest, truest and highest meaning of
life. When we live only to save ourselves, to build warm nests, to avoid every
discomfort and annoyance, to make money entirely for our own use and enjoyment,
to invent schemes for our own pleasure, we become the most discontented and
miserable of mankind. How many there are who have given themselves up to a life
of selfishness and pleasure seeking, only to find their capacity for joy has
shriveled, and their lives plunged into gloom and despair. They have lost their
souls!
If a fire
is raging, and a millionaire saves his palace from destruction, but in so doing
loses his own life, does it pay? And are there not many who are building for
themselves palaces of wealth and pleasure, but are losing the power of
enjoyment because they are destroying all the finest sensibilities of their
nature. Our Lord asks, what does it profit to gain the whole world, and forfeit
one's own soul?
But not to
adopt the policy of the world is certain to bring upon us dislike and hatred,
which has caused many to be discouraged; and yet to refuse Christ's policy of
life, and to be ashamed of acknowledging that we are His followers, will mean
ultimately our rejection. For how can our Lord use us in any great plans of the
future, if we have failed Him in the limited sphere of our human life?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
we have been disappointed because the cisterns that we have hewn out for
ourselves have not given the water needed to quench our thirst. Fountain of
Living Water, of You may we drink! Bread of Life, of You may we eat! Light of
Life, shine upon our hearts that we may walk in Thy light. In Christ Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.
God's Daily Promise
Promise #190:
Jesus is not ashamed to be called your big brother.
Hebrews 2:11 (WEB)
For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one,
for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers,
Jesus is not ashamed to be called your big brother.
Hebrews 2:11 (WEB)
For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one,
for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers,
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