“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”
Phil 3:7-9 (NIV)
The cost is merely an exchange. And we are the ones who gain.
- The cost of obedience vs the freedom we get from following His ways
- The cost of the mission vs the joy of living everyday with purpose
- The cost of letting go of worldly possession vs the surprise of God’s goodness and blessing
- The cost of sowing financially or with time vs the return we get in this life and beyond
“From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. ‘Never, Lord!’ he said. ‘This shall never happen to you!’ Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.’ Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.’”
Matthew 16: 21- 27 (NIV)
What is the prize of Christianity? The prize is Jesus Christ. Jesus gave up His life so that we may have life. He is the head and the church is the body. The prize and the price always go hand in hand. We are blessed with the free gift of salvation. But it came at a great cost – Jesus surrendering His life on the cross for our sins. The focus is not on the price but the prize. Celebrating in the prize that is Jesus Christ who brings joy and eternal life.
For us, the price is surrender. As we surrender our lives to God, we humble our selves before Him. Humility in the hands of God will be used by God for God. Pride is the enemy of humility. Humility is the way to freedom – letting go of our agendas and surrendering our lives to Jesus Christ.
SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT
- What is it today, that you need to surrender to God? Is there any area in your life that you need to let go?
- During this season, what are you more tuned into? What the world/news/media is saying? Or what God is speaking to your heart?
- What is a Next Step you can take, to draw closer to God? Reflect on how you can position yourself and grow in the Word and Prayer.
- Who can you reach out to and be kind to this week? Intentionally look out for opportunities to bless someone in your world each day.
