What Shall A Man Give In Exchange For His Soul?
“What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
What gives something its value?
Is it rare, scarce, or sentimental?
What qualities make something precious and valuable?
We assign value to something that is important to us.
Jesus tells us what is most precious and valuable to Him.
You are!
God created you in His image with an eternal soul. (Genesis 1:27)
You are the most precious and valuable to Him. (Psalm 139:13-18)
With this precious and valuable life God has given you, are you living only for yourself or have you surrendered your life to the Lord Jesus Christ?
Jesus tells us in Mark 8:36-37 “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Also in Matthew 16:26 “For what will a man be profited, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”
In comparison to your eternal soul, nothing else compares.
It says in Psalm 49:7 “No man can by any means redeem his brother, or give to God a ransom for him.”
In other words, no payment for sin can ever be made by one person for another person.
And we cannot save ourselves.
Only Jesus, who is perfect and who paid the price for your sins and your eternal soul can save you.
He did this when He took your place on the cross.
He suffered, bled, and died on the cross, was buried in the tomb, and rose from the dead proving that He is victorious over sin and death.
You are more precious than the sparrows.
Matthew 10:31 “Therefore do not fear; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
What are you to do with this life and breath God has given?
Agree with God that you are a sinner separated from God in need of forgiveness and know that Jesus is the only One who can save you from an eternity apart from Him. (John 14:6)
Instead of being separated, you can be brought near by the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
God is patient toward you not wishing for any to perish.
2 Peter 9c “not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”
Whoever comes to Him, He will certainly not cast out.
John 6:37b “and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.”
The time to believe and be saved is now!
Today is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2)
Will you value what our Lord Jesus values - your eternal soul?
You don’t have to do anything to earn or keep your value with God.
1 John 3:1a “See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are.”
When you believe in Jesus, God says you are His child and so you are!
In John 6:68b Simon Peter answered Jesus’ question to the disciples “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
Submitted by Pam Burton