Living in the Spirit
September 16, 2018
Scripture Reading: Mark 8:27-38
He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’ –Mark 8:34-38
What is the price of selling one’s soul? Generally, adultery is related to being married and having a sexual relationship with someone who is not one’s spouse. It also refers to religious infidelity, which is the practice of idolatry. Looking in all the wrong places for satisfaction in life is adultery through idolatry. Why do we reach out in every direction grabbing at anything searching for something to do what? Why do we feel such a void in our lives? Money, sex the accumulations of things, are lesser gods that never result in satisfaction.
So, what does Jesus mean in the scripture above when he says if we lose our lives for his sake we will save it? I wonder if it has to do with who we are created to be and unless we actualized who we are created to be we will never fully be us. A relationship with Jesus brings out the us in us.
For God alone my soul waits in silence,
for my hope is from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my deliverance and my honor;
my mighty rock, my refuge is in God. (Psalms 62:5-7)
Prayer
Thank You, Lord, for saving my soul
Thank You, Lord, for making me whole
Thank You, Lord, for giving to me
Thy great salvation, so rich and free*. Amen.
*Words by Mr. and Mrs. Seth Sykes and Phil Laeger