Risk
Being a Christian is risky business. I sometimes feel like I can only see one step ahead of me on the narrow path, and that each step is both a risk and a call to trust God by renouncing my own comfort. Each step is a risk!
While we should count the cost of risks we take, we would be fools not to also count the immeasurable gain we will receive from the rewards Christ promises. The passage below makes it clear that a life without risk and sacrifice for the Lord will be a life lost, while a life full of doing ‘risky’ things for the Lord and the gospel’s sake will save it. The only real risk is to not deny yourself and lose your life because that is what leads to a lost life. Put Christ and the gospel first in your life and follow wherever He leads you—it would be risky not to.
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” Mark 8:34-36
Long-Term Outlook
The Christian long-term outlook goes beyond 95 years to all of eternity. We are to store up our treasure not on earth, but in heaven. God values different things than what humans naturally value. He alone is the only One who can (and will) test our works and thoughts in light of eternity. Don’t be like the rich fool of Luke 12:12-21 who lived for this present life by hoarding food in larger and larger barns. He laid up treasure for Himself but was not rich towards God—and paid the price.
Do you live more for the cares of this present life or for the life to come? Being too earthly-minded will forfeit your kingdom usefulness and choke out your faith (Mark 4:19). Don’t live your life in a way that you will regret in eternity—give Christ your all and live for the eternal glory of the One who redeemed you.
“And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” 1 Peter 5:4
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1 – Found in Leadership 101 by John Maxwell
This article about getting a heart of wisdom originally appeared here.
