Lose in Order to Gain

And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?  Is anything worth more than your soul?  (Matthew 16:26 NLT)


   The Bible is full of accounts of people who were willing to suffer loss in order to gain.  Jacob gained a new name when he wrestled with God at Peniel.  Joseph gained a high position after languishing in prison for thirteen years.  Abraham waited for thirteen years before gaining a son.  Rahab gained a place in the genealogy of Christ after trusting God and hiding the spies.  Space does not permit the mention of Esther, Daniel, Elijah, Jonah, Saul of Tarsus, Stephen, and Jesus of Nazareth who died in order to gain the souls of mankind.

   What do you need to lose in order to gain?  The writer of Hebrews says, "...Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up."  (Heb. 12:1 NLT).  What sin is holding you down?  Put the ax to pride, crucify self, throw out the garbage, shun gossip, and avoid impurity.  Instead, uphold the truth.

   God is pleased when he sees us losing in order to gain.