than she has when we go grocery shopping together. I am one whom thinks
outside the box or should I say outside the grocery list. My desires drives
me to try new things all the time. There has been so many times when I will
look at something and tell Heather, that would be good, and then I ask the
deal breaking question, "How Much Does It Cost?" The sad fact is after
realizing the cost more times than not I have turned away from the things in
which I was close to buying.
The thought for today is does this same principle apply in our spiritual
lives. How much is the cost of being saved or being a sinner? First let us
examine the cost of being saved. I like to look at the cost to Abraham, the
Bible says: Gen. 12:1-3- Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of
thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land
that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will
bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I
will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in
thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
We notice here Abraham had to deny 3 things to follow the commandments of
the Lord.
The first was himself and the things that he desired for him. This same
commandment is given to the New Testament Christian also. Lk. 9:23- 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.
The second was he had to leave his country. Leave a land that he loved, a
land in which he was born and raised. We must do the same to be a Christian.
1 Jn. 2:15-17- Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the
world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16
For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the
eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will
of God abideth for ever.
The third was he had to leave his kindred and family. Can you imagine
leaving those whom is your family, those whom have embraced you and loved
you. The sad thing is often family is a great hinderance between people and
God. We must not let anyone come between us and God. The Bible says: Mt.
10:37-He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and
he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
At first glance the cost does seem high, more times than not people often
leave true religion on the shelf, due to the high cost. Let us always
realize that the price paid outweighs the cost to us. The Bible says Php.
2:8- And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became
obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Last but certainly not least what is the cost of being a sinner. Jesus said,
Mt. 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?
The Bible says: Rom. 6:23- For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of
God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The cost of being a sinner and dying a sinner is eternal death, and the
losing of your soul eternally !!!
I ask you to thing about and weigh the cost and please answer the question
that Jesus asked in Mt. 16:26c - ... or what shall a man give in exchange
for his soul ?
Today please consider your soul !!!
Shawn D. Slone
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