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Success in this world is a great defeat if it takes you out of God’s will. So many are like the rich young ruler who came running to Jesus—yet he went away sorrowful. They’re such sad cases. Jesus told them to “forsake all, give to the poor, and come follow Me,”1 but they went back sorrowful because of the riches of this life, considering them of more value than the riches of Christ. They chose to “lay up for themselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt and where thieves break through and steal”—instead of laying up for themselves eternal “treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”2
Moses forsook this world. He looked beyond this world because he saw Jesus and had an eye on eternity and its great rewards. He counted the riches of Christ greater than the riches of all Egypt.3 The greatest and most powerful and richest nation on the face of the earth in that day couldn’t compare to Christ.
He counted the riches of Christ greater than the riches of this world, “For he had respect unto the recompense of the reward”—far greater than all the riches of this whole world combined and all of its selfish pleasures and selfish interests. So “he chose to suffer affliction with the children of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of this life for a season.”4
Whatever this life and this world have to offer, it’s only for a little while. But salvation, souls, children, and service for the Lord are forever; they are eternal. “For this world passes away and the fashion thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”5So “love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. For he that loveth the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”6
The one who is willing to seemingly lose is going to be the one who gains. “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.”7 Jesus Himself said, “He that saveth his life shall lose it, but he that loseth his life for My sake and the Gospel’s, the same shall save it.”8
That’s what I call a bargain, to give up the pleasures of sin of this life for a beautiful eternal life in heaven—with all of our friends and family and folks we have won to the Lord forever. What could be better than that? I’d call that a bargain. I call that a cheap price to pay for these eternal rewards and life with the Lord in heaven forever.
“Only one life, ’twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.”9 What are you doing? For whom? Will it last forever for Jesus and others? Did you spend today’s precious time for Him and others? How will you answer Him? What will you say? It’s better to die for something than to live—and die—for nothing. Which are you doing? Start living today. There’s only one way—for Jesus.
Even though it costs something in self-sacrifice and personal effort in giving, even persecution and suffering, Jesus Himself promised that if you would suffer with Him, you would also reign with Him.10 Are you going to reign now a little while and pay the price later? Or are you going to suffer a little now and reign forever? “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”11
Are you willing to “deny yourself and take up your cross daily”?12 “Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation” that might lead you astray from the straight and narrow way which leads to a higher crown and greater reward.13 “Forget those things which are behind, and reach forth unto those things which are before. Press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”14 May God help you to be faithful to the end of your days. “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”15 In Jesus’ name, amen.
-- David Brandt Berg
(Prophecy:) Behold, I come quickly, and My reward is with me and My fan is in My hand. Let every man examine himself according to that which is within him—whether it be of gold and of silver, or of wood, hay or stubble, which shall be burned. Beware lest thou, too, be found to be wanting.16
What a day it will be when you join with Me in My kingdom for evermore. You will have such joy that you have never known, and see such glories that you have never seen, and you will know that it has been worth it all.17 This will be a compensation and a recompense. For eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things that I have laid up for My own, My beloved.18
“For as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. He that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.”19
A Job Well Done
Tho’ harder, rougher grows the way
As we strive onward day by day,
Yet nearer, brighter shines His light
As we near the end of the night.
As ’round the world we work and roam,
Each weary step brings closer home.
For journey’s end will come soon—you’ll see.
There He waits for you and me.
And as He gathers each one in
From this old world of sin,
He’ll welcome home each faithful one
With all His joy for a job well done.20
‘Twill Soon be Past
Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its days I must fulfill,
Living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me, Lord, with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Give me, Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true whate’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes, only one,
Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “‘twas worth it all”;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.
—C. T. Studd
Originally published May 1983. Adapted and republished September 2014.
Read by Simon Peterson.
Footnotes:
1 Matthew 19:21.
2 Matthew 6:19–21.
3 Hebrews 11:26.
4 Hebrews 11:25.
5 1 John 2:17; 2 Corinthians 4:18.
6 1 John 2:15.
7 Jim Elliot, Christian missionary and martyr, 1949.
8 Mark 8:35.
9 From the poem “Only One Life,” by C. T. Studd.
10 2 Timothy 2:12.
11 Romans 8:18.
12 Luke 9:23.
13 Matthew 26:41; 7:14.
14 Philippians 3:13–14.
15 Revelation 2:10.
16 Revelation 22:12; Matthew 3:12; 2 Corinthians 13:5; 1 Corinthians 3:11–15.
17 2 Corinthians 4:17.
18 1 Corinthians 2:9–10.
19 Isaiah 62:5; Revelation 3:11; 2:26; 3:21.
20 Matthew 25:21.
Audio length: 9:38
Download Audio (7.7MB)
Success in this world is a great defeat if it takes you out of God’s will. So many are like the rich young ruler who came running to Jesus—yet he went away sorrowful. They’re such sad cases. Jesus told them to “forsake all, give to the poor, and come follow Me,”1 but they went back sorrowful because of the riches of this life, considering them of more value than the riches of Christ. They chose to “lay up for themselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt and where thieves break through and steal”—instead of laying up for themselves eternal “treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”2
Moses forsook this world. He looked beyond this world because he saw Jesus and had an eye on eternity and its great rewards. He counted the riches of Christ greater than the riches of all Egypt.3 The greatest and most powerful and richest nation on the face of the earth in that day couldn’t compare to Christ.
He counted the riches of Christ greater than the riches of this world, “For he had respect unto the recompense of the reward”—far greater than all the riches of this whole world combined and all of its selfish pleasures and selfish interests. So “he chose to suffer affliction with the children of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of this life for a season.”4
Whatever this life and this world have to offer, it’s only for a little while. But salvation, souls, children, and service for the Lord are forever; they are eternal. “For this world passes away and the fashion thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”5So “love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. For he that loveth the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”6
The one who is willing to seemingly lose is going to be the one who gains. “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.”7 Jesus Himself said, “He that saveth his life shall lose it, but he that loseth his life for My sake and the Gospel’s, the same shall save it.”8
That’s what I call a bargain, to give up the pleasures of sin of this life for a beautiful eternal life in heaven—with all of our friends and family and folks we have won to the Lord forever. What could be better than that? I’d call that a bargain. I call that a cheap price to pay for these eternal rewards and life with the Lord in heaven forever.
“Only one life, ’twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.”9 What are you doing? For whom? Will it last forever for Jesus and others? Did you spend today’s precious time for Him and others? How will you answer Him? What will you say? It’s better to die for something than to live—and die—for nothing. Which are you doing? Start living today. There’s only one way—for Jesus.
Even though it costs something in self-sacrifice and personal effort in giving, even persecution and suffering, Jesus Himself promised that if you would suffer with Him, you would also reign with Him.10 Are you going to reign now a little while and pay the price later? Or are you going to suffer a little now and reign forever? “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”11
Are you willing to “deny yourself and take up your cross daily”?12 “Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation” that might lead you astray from the straight and narrow way which leads to a higher crown and greater reward.13 “Forget those things which are behind, and reach forth unto those things which are before. Press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”14 May God help you to be faithful to the end of your days. “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”15 In Jesus’ name, amen.
-- David Brandt Berg
(Prophecy:) Behold, I come quickly, and My reward is with me and My fan is in My hand. Let every man examine himself according to that which is within him—whether it be of gold and of silver, or of wood, hay or stubble, which shall be burned. Beware lest thou, too, be found to be wanting.16
What a day it will be when you join with Me in My kingdom for evermore. You will have such joy that you have never known, and see such glories that you have never seen, and you will know that it has been worth it all.17 This will be a compensation and a recompense. For eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things that I have laid up for My own, My beloved.18
“For as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. He that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.”19
A Job Well Done
Tho’ harder, rougher grows the way
As we strive onward day by day,
Yet nearer, brighter shines His light
As we near the end of the night.
As ’round the world we work and roam,
Each weary step brings closer home.
For journey’s end will come soon—you’ll see.
There He waits for you and me.
And as He gathers each one in
From this old world of sin,
He’ll welcome home each faithful one
With all His joy for a job well done.20
‘Twill Soon be Past
Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its days I must fulfill,
Living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me, Lord, with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Give me, Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true whate’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes, only one,
Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “‘twas worth it all”;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.
—C. T. Studd
Originally published May 1983. Adapted and republished September 2014.
Read by Simon Peterson.
Footnotes:
1 Matthew 19:21.
2 Matthew 6:19–21.
3 Hebrews 11:26.
4 Hebrews 11:25.
5 1 John 2:17; 2 Corinthians 4:18.
6 1 John 2:15.
7 Jim Elliot, Christian missionary and martyr, 1949.
8 Mark 8:35.
9 From the poem “Only One Life,” by C. T. Studd.
10 2 Timothy 2:12.
11 Romans 8:18.
12 Luke 9:23.
13 Matthew 26:41; 7:14.
14 Philippians 3:13–14.
15 Revelation 2:10.
16 Revelation 22:12; Matthew 3:12; 2 Corinthians 13:5; 1 Corinthians 3:11–15.
17 2 Corinthians 4:17.
18 1 Corinthians 2:9–10.
19 Isaiah 62:5; Revelation 3:11; 2:26; 3:21.
20 Matthew 25:21.
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