From the prolific pen of Joe Barnett come these words of valuable insight:

October 22, 2019, was the first day of the World Series between the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals.

The games weren’t Friday Night Lights for low-income families – the average per-ticket price was $950. Standing-room started at $360. A spot in the elite Diamond Club went for $10,500.

For die-hard fans, it was the most important event in the world. One buff offered a kidney for a ticket to the first game of the series.

But the post that sent chills down my spine was a tweet from Kaylise, offering to sell her soul for World Series tickets. Kaylise’s offer causes us to cringe. But aren’t there many who sell their soul for the paltry returns of all-consuming desires? Things like —

Popularity
Position
Pleasure
Possessions *

Jesus asks, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” – Mark 8:36-37

As you contemplate the value of your soul and what you might be willing to give in exchange for it, consider the price God paid to save your soul.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

When we sin – and all of us have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) – we “exchange our souls” for temporary pleasures that end in death (Romans 6:23; James 1:14-15).

But God loves us so much that He gave His one and only Son to die on the cross for our sins (John 3:16).  Jesus paid the price for our redemption from sin: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).

God will save, redeem, and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

Your soul is too valuable to exchange it for some paltry pleasure or possession.

If the value of something is determined by the price that is paid for it, consider the value that God has placed on your soul: He gave His Son to die for you to save your soul.

To Christians – those who have accepted God’s offer of salvation and eternal life through their trusting obedience – Peter reminded them of the price that was paid for them: “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18-19 NIV).

Won’t YOU accept His offer?  To exchange your soul for anything less would be an eternal loss.

-- David A. Sargent

* From “What’s Your Price?” by Joe Barnett in Today’s Walk in the Word (7/18/2023), an email devotional sent out by Pathway Evangelism Inc., www.pathwayco.com

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

Archived issues of Living Water can be viewed and accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org