WE NEED GOD

We Need God!

Repeat after me: God I Need You.

Mark 8:36 & 37 Jesus is speaking to the people and his disciples. He’s asking us a question

“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?” KJV

“And how does a man benefit if he gains the whole world and loses his soul in the process? For is anything worth more than his soul?” TLB (The Living Bible) “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?” ESV “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” NLT “It is worthless to have the whole world if they lose their souls. They could never pay enough to buy back their souls.” NCV

Nothing is more valuable than your life, including your soul. But think about your soul. Your soul is your mind, will, thoughts, emotions………………………………………………….

Don’t be deceived, we need established boundaries for the good of our souls. Like when you were a child and your parents taught you to use good manners, home training, respect and honor your elders, put on your listening ears and pay attention, think before you speak or react; those were healthy boundaries. Boundaries that came from the Bible. You may not have liked their delivery but they were for a purpose; for your good.

Gain the whole world…..can represent different things to different people but it’s personal to each person. We have individual souls, although we can develop good and bad soul ties. I am responsible for the condition of my soul and you are responsible for the condition of your soul.

Gain the whole world could look like:

• “I do what I want to do”, “I say whatever I want to say”,  “I eat what I want when I want”.
• Fraud to get business loans, scamming and scheming.
• Selfishness, unforgiveness, bitterness and lack of accountability.
• Getting attention no matter what the cost; betrayal; lies if it benefits your agenda.
• Backstabbing people when they no longer benefit you. Denial… that maybe you are the problem.
• A married woman or man cheating on their spouse with multiple people with no remorse.  Robbing, stealing, cheating, manipulating, rebellion.
• Complete lack of Repentance.

The list could go on and on.

GotQuestions.org described ‘to gain the whole world’ as: “To gain the whole world is to receive all the world has to offer—money, fame, pleasure, power, prestige, etc.”.

We all want money, pleasure but at what cost. God has already established blessings for obedience. You gain the whole world, get all your money. Do whatever you want to do, pleasure yourself at what expense at whose expense. In exchange for what.

Is ‘doing you’ worth it? Have you sat down and considered the cost? Are you prepared for the consequences?

Will it benefit you to gain the whole world (do whatever you want to) and then lose your mind. Lose your ability to think sound rational thoughts. Lose your will to live a life that pleases God. Lose your ability to regulate your emotions; lack emotional regulation; acting out every fleeting emotion at any given moment. Then suffering silently through the consequences because ‘you have pride’.

So Jesus is asking the questions! Jesus wants us to choose him; he gave his life so that we could have life. And a more abundant life. What is your answer? What is the answer of your soul? Are you willing to take up your cross and follow Jesus (to die to self daily)? Will you play your part and sacrifice your personal agendas, needs and wants. Are you willing to deny yourself and do things God’s way.

All of our day to day activities are temporary, here on earth. We have eternity to look forward to. Have you really stopped and thought about how God loves you so much that he gave up His Son. How Jesus sacrificed his life for you to have eternal life with him. For you to have unlimited access to God now and forever. To have the forgiveness of sin. To be able to receive all the promises, benefits, and blessings of God. To experience the absolute Love of God.

To really follow Jesus Christ we must be willing to deny ourselves daily, commit to Him, and submit to his leadership and rulership over our lives. We must be willing to live out, Lord not my will but your will be done in my life. Without God we can do nothing; but with God all things are possible if we believe.

We Need God. We Need God-Holy Spirit! Holy Spirit is our Helper, Teacher, Comforter. We Need Holy Spirit’s influence in our lives. I pray that we all think about these questions that Jesus asked and that we accept, acknowledge, and invite Holy Spirit in to help us answer Jesus’ question/s with our life. A life surrendered to God. Holy Spirit, I yield my mind, my will, my thought life, my emotions to you.

Jesus I need you.