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If you consider yourself to be worth nothing, then here are a few thoughts that will remind you that you are worth your weight in gold. This is not meant to be a self esteem type message, so beloved by many false teachers, but a gentle reminder that you have a soul that is immortal and needs to be saved. The Lord Jesus posed the question above: For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Mark 8:36) and followed it up with a similar question: Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

1) YOU HAVE A SOUL THAT WILL OUTLIVE THE WORLD WITH ALL ITS RICHES

Your soul is the spiritual part of your being. It is your soul that separates you from and elevates you over the rest of God's creation. No animal, no matter how intelligent, has a soul. And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Genesis 2:7) Once it came into existence, it became immortal and therefore will live for ever. A million years from now, you will have a spiritual existence. The soul cannot be annihilated nor cease to be. It is immortal.

This world has an end. Although it did not come in with a "Big Bang," yet it will go out with one. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (2 Peter 3:10) There is nothing in this world which will last for ever. Men have held unto power and riches, but have seen them slip away. There are no pockets in a shroud nor drawers in a coffin. Great estates with great castles have fallen into ruins. Many names that were great in their day have long been forgotten. And yet their soul lives on.

2) TO LOSE YOUR SOUL FOR THE SAKE OF GAINING THE WORLD IS UNPROFITABLE:

You do not have to be rocket scientist to work this out. The fashion of this world passeth away. (1 Corinthians 7:31) Everything you can touch and see in this world has a "use by" date. It's days are numbered. But if your soul will live for ever, and it will, then it makes more sense to give attention to your soul, rather than the things of time and sense. Of course, we must live on this earth and meet our responsibilities as sensible people. We must work for our keep and be responsible citizens and neighbours. It is not money that is the root of all evil, but the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10) While it may be right considered fanaticism to supposedly live for the spiritual while neglecting our obligations to others, yet it is equally madness to live for this world with its wealth and power and forget that we have a soul. The mathematics are simple.

3) THE BEST WAY TO LOSE YOUR SOUL:

Losing your soul is a great danger indeed. We are all sinners against God. We have all violated God's law (the 10 Commandments) and deserve to die. Death in the Bible is not the end of existence, but a removal from one place to another. For the Christian, death is a removal from this world into the presence of the Lord. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) Again: Having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better. (Philippians 1:23) For the unbeliever, death is a removal from the merciful presence of the Lord into the blackness of darkness for ever. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; (2 Thessalonians 1:9)

There are two easy ways to lose your soul. One is to outrightly reject the gospel of God's dear Son that offers forgiveness for the guilt of sin and victory over sin in every day life. It is to live as if there was no God, no heaven , no hell, no eternity, no justice etc. Millions are living are like that today. We may refer to this as GOSPEL REJECTION. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, [there is] none that doeth good. (Psalm 14:1)

The second way is really just as easy. At least, once you get used to it. This other way involves accepting what the Bible says about sin with its guilt and its resulting death. It accepts that salvation is only in Jesus Christ and His atoning death on Calvary. It accepts that salvation is by grace through faith and not of human works (Ephesians 2:8-9) In short, it falls in with every thing that is Biblical and orthodox about salvation. However, it falls short at this vital point. When the gospel rejecters above say "Not me!" those who embrace this second way of damnation say "Not now!" The Bible does not offer salvation for tomorrow. Tomorrow never comes. It is always a future date, while the Bible declares: Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2) We are not only to seek the Lord, but to do so "while He may be found " and call upon Him "while He is near." (Isaiah 55:6) The Lord has something particular to say about such neglect. It may not be outright rejection, but it still stops short of coming to Christ and being saved. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him? (Hebrews 2:3) The answer is simple: There is no escape.

Our text above in Mark 8:36-37 tells us that not only is the loss of your soul incomparable, but it is also irreparable. Once the soul is lost, it is lost for eternity. There is no second chance after the grave. This is why it is so important that you come to Christ today and be saved for all eternity.

4) THE ONLY WAY TO SAVE YOUR SOUL

Flee from the wrath to come (Matthew 3:7) Flee to Jesus Christ, who is the only Refuge for sinners. Flee in repentance and in faith. Forsake any reliance upon your own righteousness which far short of what God requires. Plead for mercy and you will find it. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13)

SPURGEON'S SERMON ON MARK 8:36 QUOTED ABOVE

PERSONAL TESTIMONIES

* This poor man cried and the Lord heard him... Colin Maxwell's personal testimony
* How Donal and Fiona O'Donovan from Cork City came to Christ
* No longer hoping - the testimony of Dick Keogh (Converted RC)
* How John Griffin (Co. Limerick) came to Christ (Converted RC)
* How Bob Orris (USA) came to Christ (Converted RC)
* How Rev. Phil Owen (USA) came to Christ (Converted RC)
* How Angel Alvarez (Spain) came to Christ (Converted RC)
* How Rev. Gordon Dane (Co. Fermanagh) came to Christ
* How Roy McFadden came to Christ (Ulster man in Australia)
* He took the shoes of the corpse of his little girl and sold them for drink - Mel Trotter's testimony
* How Spurgeon came to Christ (His own words)