Are We Willing To Give It Our All?
As a part of our lives in this realm, at some point, we begin to purchase and possess. We begin to learn the value of items, and the means by which we might “hold” these things for a while. Surely, we understand the material goods of this life, although sometimes expensive, are temporary at best. This is very well demonstrated in the Parable of the Rich Fool in Luke 12:16-21. Here we read of one who truly believed he had all that he needed to sustain him through the remainder of his existence. How mistaken can one be? We can see in Luke 12:20 he would have no need of material goods where he was going. 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?
This man had been truly blessed, but he failed to realize the value of the intangible. He had labored only for the “goods of this world”. Luke 12:21 gives the point of the parable. So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. Christ, in Matthew 16:26, addressed the value of the soul, and asked a question similar to the title of the poem below, written by my wife’s father over 45 years ago. The Lord said: 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? What would you give for your soul?
How valuable is your soul to you today? Can we not realize the great importance placed upon the soul in God’s dealing with mankind? Are we not willing to sacrifice now to ensure that our soul is saved when it departs from our bodies? In Luke 9:23, Jesus explained what “giving it your all” entailed as He spoke to the Jews of His day who would see the kingdom come. And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. God gave His all, and Christ gave His all so we could have this great opportunity. In the latter part of Romans 5:8 we are told: “. . . while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
What Would You Give?
What would you give, ever to live,
Free from a world of suff’ring and pain,
Where there’s no heartaches, wrongs to forgive,
No sad partings again?
What would you give to have a true friend,
When you cross the Jordan so wide,
One on whom you can ever depend,
When you must cross the dark tide?
Jesus is that friend, Who will ever be true,
Land you safely over the foam.
All that you need He’ll give unto you,
Then you can live in that Home.
If you are lost, think of the cost,
That the Lord paid for us on that day,
Gave His own life to save us from Hell,
When we like sheep were astray.
Think of such love, sent from above,
Now is the time to prepare.
Better obey the gospel today,
So He will welcome you there.
O.D. Wilson – deceased
Perhaps, you’ve never stopped to consider that we too, have a price to pay to inhabit that eternal home. Yes, God gave His all, and Christ gave His all, but is that the only cost? While discussing the cost of discipleship, the Lord, in Luke 14:28-30 used the example of building a tower without counting the cost to show the fallacy of beginning and not finishing. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. If we have begun our journey to heaven, having obeyed the gospel, and have laid hold on the promise of eternal life, have we truly counted the cost? Are we willing to “give it our all” to ensure that we make it to heaven?
We have a fine Bible example in Paul, of one willing to do his part while here on the earth, and also what reward was expected in 2Timothy 4:6-8. He paid dearly while laboring on the earth. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. Don’t you want that crown?
If you have not obeyed the gospel, you can’t expect that “crown” the Lord will give to the obedient and faithful. What are you willing to do to partake of that eternal heavenly home? Are you willing to sacrifice now, and “give it your all”? What Are You Willing To Give? Obey the gospel today!
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
