Nothing or Everything?

Many folks have been taught that salvation is all about your final destination. You know...ending up in heaven instead of hell. But ending up in heaven (and not hell) is only a part of salvation. The truth is, salvation is all about your soul. 

Listen to Matthew 16:26, "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" Key word: SOUL. If you take a closer look you will see these two questions posed by Jesus have exactly opposite answers. "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?" The answer is NOTHING. The next question asks, "Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" The answer is EVERYTHING! To gain the whole world and lose one's soul profits a person absolutely nothing! This is because his soul is eternally lost. In order to save your soul one must give Jesus ALL......EVERYTHING! 

Ministers, churches, and whole denominations have taught for ages that a quick walk to the alter, a shaking of your hand by members of the congregation, and a water baptism are all that is needed to insure you a place in glory after leaving this life. At this point you are a Christian and will go to heaven - no matter how you live out the rest of your life. This produces a mindset that believes it is all about your final destination...and not your soul. The truth is, salvation is about your soul, and to save your soul you must give Jesus everything!

This is why being saved is more than praying a quick "sinner's prayer". Being saved is about total surrender to Jesus - as not only Savior, but Lord as well. Yes, Jesus saves. But Jesus also rules. He rules only those who completely surrender their lives to him.

Understand that when we are born into this life, our souls have already been forfeited. This is a result of the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. (See Genesis Chapter 3.) Our souls were forfeited, and you and I didn't even have a choice. However, now through Jesus Christ we do have a choice. We won't be forced. But if we decide to choose Jesus, He requires giving ALL to Him. Only then can He live in and through you and me.

Finally, many folks don't want to choose Jesus because they know they will have to surrender all to Him. They want to be in total control of their own lives. We have the freedom to do this. We can choose not to give EVERYTHING to Jesus. But the result will be according to Matthew 16:26, "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? (NOTHING) Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" (EVERYTHING)

                                                                                                                

I am available for speaking engagements in services, conferences, workshops, and revival meetings. You can contact me at harvcel@gmail.com. Thanks!