05/07/2020
What is the value we place on spending an eternity at God’s table with Jesus; or for that matter, for the salvation of our very souls? What earthly price would we be willing to pay so that we could sing out “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty” with the heavenly host forever? Man has sought eternity in thought and word since Adam, and yet when it comes right down to paying the price of our admission, we falter, and chose worldly things over the eternal salvation of our souls. How much is too much for you to pay?
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”
Matthew 16:26 ESV
I am rather miserly, and have been so all my life. I often want the finer things of life, but when it comes right down to paying for them I back away. I choose to purchase the bare necessities I need to live on. I have a good friend who has a child that lives her life this way, and he calls her a minimalist. Everything about her life is quite simple, and she doesn’t surround herself with lavish items. I guess I am a minimalist as well, but there are certain things I find valuable enough to pay a great price for. An example is the house I live in. I built my house in a more affluent area not because I needed a finer home, but because if I lived there then my children could go to better schools... for this I spent all I could afford. God spends on us in much this same way... giving His only begotten Son for us!
““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 ESV
Jesus is the greatest biblical example of paying a price that consisted of all He had, but there are others, as a matter of fact, before He offered Himself on Calvary, His father had decided to send Him to that end. Both sacrificed their greatest possession so that you and I could live in eternity. The Father gave His Son, and the Son gave His life. Then there is the story of the widow’s mite in which the widow threw her last two copper coins into the temple treasury, and found eternity in God’s Word as Jesus taught us all a lesson through this one act. She won the admiration of Chtist for doing paying the price...
“For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.””
Mark 12:44 ESV
Of course there is the sad story of the rich man who sought eternity, but found that giving all he had was a price he couldn’t bring himself to pay...
“Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”
Matthew 19:21-22 ESV
At some point in our life we will be asked to pay a price that consists of everything we own, and it won’t necessarily be money, or our own life. For Abraham it was Issac, for Noah it was to build an arc and leave all he has known, for Moses it was to place his life in God’s hands as he confronted Pharaoh, and the list goes on. The question we each need to be ready to answer is this “When God asks us to give everything, will we be prepared to put Him above that thing He asks of us?”
“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 ESV
So when the ask comes will we be ready to answer it appropriately? You might think so now, but when you are placed in that position how will you actually respond? Peter thought he would never deny Jesus, and yet, to save his earthly life, he did so three times in one night. When the time comes we will see How ready we are... there are seasoned, and brave soldiers who run away when suddenly faced with certain death, but then there is also David who picked up his sling and faced Goliath alone. Which will we be?
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:1-2 ESV
Let’s go back to our opening question... “What is the value we place on spending an eternity at God’s table with Jesus; or for that matter, for the salvation of our very souls?“ and now that we are contemplating this thing, then let’s ask ourselves a subsequent question... what price can God ask of us that He is not worth more?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for paying the price for my redemption by offering your Son Jesus on Calvary that I might be saved. Thank you for the love you have for me Lord, and give me strength that I might love you in like kind, and do all that you ask of me. Embolden me, strengthen me, and give me the faith that is required to pay any price you place on eternity with you. Let me not view anything in heaven, or on earth, to be more valuable than you are, and what you ask of me. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who is worth far more than my life and all I have. Praised be your name in that moment when you ask me to surrender my all, and do your will. Lead me from the temptation that worldly things can place on me, and open my heart, mind, and soul to the overriding value of you, your Word, and Jesus Christ. Merciful are you my God who asks of me those things I am able to give. Gracious are you Father for your grace, and the reward that awaits me with you in heaven. Hear my prayers for your provision, your fruits of the spirit, and then witness my obedience in all you ask, so that I might dwell with you forevermore... your loving child.
“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.””
1 Peter 1:13-16 ESV
Rich Forbes