Thursday, June 13, 2013

The Measure of a Man

Matthew 16:26 – “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Just what is it in this life that really matters?  Is it how much wealth we can accumulate? Or how popular we can become? Or is it how much good we can do for our fellow man? Is it seeing our name up in lights and gaining the praise of man? Alexander the Great conquered the world and then wept because there were no more worlds to conquer. Is that what really matters? By what standard do we measure a man’s success in this life?

Jesus Himself gives us the answer in these verses.  He tells His disciples in the verses just prior, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” Self-denial is the first step to success. We must totally empty ourselves of self.  That means putting our own desires and will aside and acceding to the desires of others. This will lead to being filled with the Spirit. Secondly, we must identify ourselves with Christ by not only accepting His finished work at Calvary, but also by self-sacrifice.  That’s how we take up our cross.  Thirdly, we must daily and whole-heartedly follow Christ.  We do this by living for Him, trusting in Him, walking in Him, and doing His will.

The Measure Of A Man

So often when we look around at what a man has done
To see what legacy he leaves when his race on earth is run.
What worlds did he conquer here?  What empires did he build?
What worldly goods did he possess?  What coffers has he filled?

But should we look at worldly things to judge a man’s true worth?
Those things are only temporal.  They bring a fading mirth.
For when the final tally’s made are those the things that count?
Or is there something weightier – a heavenly account?

Those are the cares to which we should consistently attend –
The ones on which the fates of our eternal souls depend.
For not one dime of earthly goods can we from this life take.
For what will it mean in our next life if President we make?

For what shall it profit any of us if we gain the entire world,
Or if the praises and honors of men upon our heads are hurled,
If we should lose the only thing we have in our control
That lasts for all eternity – and that’s our very soul?

The choice belongs to every man that ever walked on earth –
The choice of that which gauges what a man is truly worth.
For though we all by worldly sins are constantly enticed,
Our destiny shall rise or fall on what we do with Christ.

The Bible tells us plain and clear that in Him we must trust,
And true repentance from our sins will truly make us just.
For if to heaven we would go, we must accept God’s plan,
And this is how we should regard the measure of a man.
© 2006 Paul Stultz

"He Knows My Name" - MVBC Young Ladies Trio

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