Welcome to Monday, August 9th!

Today’s episode of The Cross Talk Daily Devotional is titled:

A Crazy Bargain

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Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995}

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  A Crazy Bargain

All of us have probably made a bargain with someone in our lives that we would like to forget. Either because we, in essence, were scammed, or it makes us look very foolish and gullible.

Either way, we desire that no one knows the details. Did we enter into the bargain believing that it would turn out to our disadvantage? Of course not! We felt like we had the upper hand. We felt like we had already won.

Why then do so many people enter into a crazy bargain that not only affects their lives here but also their eternity? Why would they make a deal with the devil?

Mark 8:36 NAS95

"For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?

When an ordinary bargain goes wrong, we may lose face or possibly some finances. So what does the man lose who makes the bargain in this verse?

They lose their soul. They also forfeit the present.

As believers, we experience a foretaste of eternity in this life. Day by day, we feel the care, comfort, and blessings of the Holy Spirit. Thus, we gain in both the present and the future.

Once again,

Why do people make this crazy bargain? Why do they trade their souls for something temporary?

We know that the devil seeks to deceive the entire world. He does not want any sinner to believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ and thereby come to faith. Satan seeks to accomplish this by any means available and necessary. Therefore, never forget that he is a very dangerous and deadly enemy.

I do admit that the shiny things of this world appeal to the human lust of the flesh. Unfortunately, our old nature enjoys sin.

John warns the believers in 1 John 2:15-17 to be ever so careful.

1 John 2:15-17 NAS95

Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  [16]  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.  [17]  The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

Men and women lose their souls by persisting in sin and rejecting Jesus Christ. As I was writing this, I thought of some of the richest men and women in the world who have everything but reject God. Their lives illustrate the statement that we may gain the whole world and end up losing everything. They fail to realize that giving our lives to Jesus does not diminish our lives; it adds to it.

Unbelievers are addicted to this world. If we could test for the drug we call the lust of the flesh, these folks would test positive.

It is also valuable for us to take the same test – to see if we love the world. Are we attached more to the corruptible and deteriorating world than we are to Christ? The command not to love this world does not mean that we don't appreciate and enjoy the beauty and resources of this world. However, we must not love this world more than our desire to be with the Lord.

Take a moment to do a whom do you love more inventory test!

Let's Pray,

Gracious Heavenly Father,

May we keep our eyes intently focused on Jesus.

Help us to guard our hearts against the shiny things of this world.

May these thoughts cause us to have a renewed burden for the lost.

In the Name of Jesus, Amen!