"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?" (Mark 8:36-37)
We live in a culture that is obsessed with personal glory and material gain. Many people waste hordes of time on fleeting things such as the latest fashion trends or vehicle models. Commercials that we hear on the radio and on television oftentimes announce various ways to improve the quality of virtually every facet of our lives. Businesses concentrate on accumulating large masses of wealth for themselves. Gullible customers concentrate on getting the best items possible. This all points to the fact that an inherent part of human nature is a desire to find a source of ultimate fulfillment.
There is, however, one thing of utmost importance that society has totally forgotten. That is the person of Jesus Christ as proclaimed in the gospel. The vast majority of people in today's world seem to be utterly oblivious to or unconcerned regarding their sinful condition and the need of a redeemer. This should motivate us even more so to preach the gospel to the lost world. Moreover, Jesus powerfully and with great simplicity struck down the mindset of striving to achieve the highest place of praise and honor according to worldly standards.
Even if a person became so popular that he could instantaneously claim possession of the whole world, that position of earthly supremacy would be absolutely worthless in the sight of God. It would not even begin to amount to a claim against God. Further, nothing is more precious than the human soul itself. There is more to life than material goods. Nothing should be considered more important than our eternal destiny, for the things of this world are passing away before our very eyes. If people do not repent at the preaching of the gospel, then they will perish for all eternity. Material possessions can always be stolen, damaged, or destroyed. We are staring eternity in its face. We came into this world with nothing. We shall leave this world with nothing. Life is but for a moment.
We live in a culture that is obsessed with personal glory and material gain. Many people waste hordes of time on fleeting things such as the latest fashion trends or vehicle models. Commercials that we hear on the radio and on television oftentimes announce various ways to improve the quality of virtually every facet of our lives. Businesses concentrate on accumulating large masses of wealth for themselves. Gullible customers concentrate on getting the best items possible. This all points to the fact that an inherent part of human nature is a desire to find a source of ultimate fulfillment.
There is, however, one thing of utmost importance that society has totally forgotten. That is the person of Jesus Christ as proclaimed in the gospel. The vast majority of people in today's world seem to be utterly oblivious to or unconcerned regarding their sinful condition and the need of a redeemer. This should motivate us even more so to preach the gospel to the lost world. Moreover, Jesus powerfully and with great simplicity struck down the mindset of striving to achieve the highest place of praise and honor according to worldly standards.
Even if a person became so popular that he could instantaneously claim possession of the whole world, that position of earthly supremacy would be absolutely worthless in the sight of God. It would not even begin to amount to a claim against God. Further, nothing is more precious than the human soul itself. There is more to life than material goods. Nothing should be considered more important than our eternal destiny, for the things of this world are passing away before our very eyes. If people do not repent at the preaching of the gospel, then they will perish for all eternity. Material possessions can always be stolen, damaged, or destroyed. We are staring eternity in its face. We came into this world with nothing. We shall leave this world with nothing. Life is but for a moment.
All things created by man rightfully belong to God, since He at the beginning of time formed all the particulates which constitute the composition of everything that we observe. He also gave us the ability to grow in intellect. If a person thinks that we cannot find enjoyment in the things we do have, then he has missed the heart of Christ's teaching. We are not to allow ourselves to become preoccupied with our belongings or activities to the point at which they control our lives. If that happens, they become idols and demons. Our chief focus in this life should be on God who is above. He has the power and authority to take everything away just as quickly as He imparted those gifts to us.
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