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Matthew 16:26 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? I remember an incident that happened a long time ago, back when a bottle of Coke cost a nickel. There was a gas station across the street from the church which had a Coke machine. I noticed that the grate that held the bottles was loose and it was possible to lift out a bottle without paying for it. My elder brother Paul and his wife Alfa were arriving to church and I relayed my great discovery to them. Paul’s reaction was, “Would you sell your soul for a nickel?” This admonition has stuck with me all of my life. That seems like a small amount, but on the other extreme. Jesus gave us the Parable of the Rich Fool who had a bumper crop that his barns weren’t big enough to contain. He thought within himself and determined that: I will tear down my barns and build greater. (Notice the reliance of self as he leaves God totally out of the picture.) There I will bestow my goods. I will say to my soul, soul take your ease, eat drink and be merry. But God said: Luke 12:20 But God said unto him, [Thou] fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? Psalms 106:12-13 tells us that the Hebrew fathers praised God when He delivered them through the Red Sea, but soon forgot His wondrous works and then descended into idolatry and gross sin. I wonder if we don’t often fall into the same trap? Nobody is going to sell their soul for a nickel and most of us would resist the idea of succumbing to the lure of riches. But our greatest danger is neglect. Remember the Parable of the Ten Virgins? They were pure and clean, but while they were sleeping, their oil ran dry and they were rejected. Jesus also gave us the Parable of the Sower (Lu. 8:4-15), where folks received the word, but the cares and riches and pleasures of life chocked out the word of God which they had received. And then there was the church of Ephesus. The folks were living righteous lives and were doctrinally strong. However, Jesus admonished them because they had lost their first love (Re. 2:1-20). We don’t like to talk in a negative vein as in these scriptures below. Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard [him]; 1 Peter 4:18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? But the negative is necessary to highlight the positive and the positive is: Romans 8:1 ¶ There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Galations 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Free Ebooks That You Can Download. An Expository Study on the Book of Colossians The I AMs of Jesus Thoughts on the Lord's Prayer Your thoughts and Inquiries Contact@About-Him.Com Subscribe to this devotional? Subscribe to About-Him Devotional Keep Looking Up! Don and Marie Spooner About Him! Ministries
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