Mark 8:36
What shall it profit a man if he gain the world,
but lose his soul?
Christians love this theology. We boast in this theology. We sing about this theology. We love to proclaim we want Jesus above anything else.
It's easy to boast that money, fame, possessions and a good name mean nothing to us, until they are taken from us.
It's easy to scorn the rich young ruler who had everything, but wasn't willing to give it up to follow Jesus. But, we must exercise caution in judgement. We who are following Jesus still aren't always willing to give up everything to follow Him wholly.
It's hard when the Lord tests what we boast, sing and proclaim.
When you/hubby lose job, is this still your theme?
When you lose your health, is this still your song?
When your good name is muddied, do you lower your lip or use them to praise?
I was thinking about the Innocent Man this morning, praying and crying out to the Lord as I do daily, sometimes hourly, for justice, for help, for strength.
As I drove through the Seattle gray, the gloom settling around like a worn-out blanket that should be discarded, there was a slight break in the clouds. Rays of sunlight peered through, promising me the sun is still in the sky.
Like living in a cliche, it was Sonshine to my soul. At that same moment, I had been thinking that despite the trials that try our body, soul and spirit, at the end of this world, we have this beautiful eternity waiting for us. We will be with Him, at the end of this hard life on earth. Rays of hope peered through my desolate prayers, promising me the Son is still in the sky.
In an email I was entailing to a friend all the Innocent Man has lost :
He can't graduate from college this spring because circumstances forced him to drop two classes.
He can't marry the love of his life this June.
He lost his good name, in s a small town, word travels fast and not accurately.
He had to quit his new job.
After he was bailed out of jail he found himself with nothing in the worldly sense.
What keeps him from despair?
He tries to focus on what he has gained, not what he has lost. He soul is secure in the Lord. He knows he's saved, he knows the Lord is in control. Christians he hardly knows have rallied to his side, offering support, prayers and physical helps. Yes, we all daily grieve, pray and cry out to the Lord for justice and the restoration of these things, but we do not despair to the point of depression.
More than just the Words in the Scripture have upheld, the Person who gives power and life through these Words has ministered to us all. We rejoice in Him. It is not enough to know these verses, we have experienced them.
Exodus 15:2
The LORD is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;
The LORD is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;
Psalm 3:3
But You, O LORD, are a shield for me,
But You, O LORD, are a shield for me,
My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
The Innocent Man is surviving by the grace of God because,
A man still has profit if he loses the world,
but gains his soul.
