239. MAT 16:25. THE LOSSES AND GAINS CONNECTED WITH RELIGION

Mat_16:25. The Losses and Gains Connected with Religion

PART I

Mat_16:25

Having considered the former part of the subject, and stated,

I. What Things may be obtained by rejecting the Religion of Christ;

And,

II. In what Respects these Advantages shall be lost to them:

Let us now consider,

III. What we may be called to sacrifice in becoming the Disciples of Jesus.

"And whosoever will lose his life," &c.

Christ called his disciples,

1. To lose all will and choice with respect to this world’s good.

True religion consists in the subjection of the mind to God. In acknowledging the right of God to place men where he pleases, and to dispense what favors he pleases. Child no right to direct the parent. Contentment is one grand principle of genuine piety. To be without carefulness. "To take no thought what we shall eat," &c. "To be careful for nothing," &c. Mat_6:25-31; Php_4:6.

Now this will require the constant mortification of self.

We may be called to lose,

2. The approbation of friends.

True religion is peaceable, and gentle, and lovely, yet it often becomes the source of strife and bitterness. See Mat_10:34 &c. We cannot expect our ungodly friends to love a religion which condemns them and is in entire opposition to them We may be called to endure,

3. The frowns of the world.

World loves her own. Her smiles and honors she bestows upon her friends. Hence she has her reproaches and sneers for the pious. We may be charged with fanaticism, as Paul was. "Much learning," &c. With weakness of mind; with superstitious and childish fears and dread.

We may be called, also,

4. To lose our liberties in the countries where we dwell.

Often property confiscated, fines, imprisonments, chains, &c.

5. Life itself.

Thousands have had to die for their religion. See Joh_16:2; Luk_21:16; Heb_11:33-38. Now this is all we can be compelled to sacrifice. They who kill the body have no power to kill the soul.

Let us notice then,

IV. In what Respects we shall find again the Things we sacrifice.

"And whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."

It does not mean literally’97not find the same friends, same goods, same life, &c.

In the midst of these sacrifices,

1. We have what is better than life.

A man may endure what is worse than death, and enjoy what is better than life. Remorse and despair is worse than death, and the lovingkindness of God is better than life. The disciple has the enjoyment of the Holy Ghost.

The peace of Christ, "In the world ye shall," &c.

2. We are attaining a greater assimilation to the life of Christ.

Now Christ is the perfection of beauty. To be like him is the soul’s highest dignity and happiness. Now this is attained by 3elf-denial and sacrifices. He lost all that worldly men estimate; he renounced riches, pleasures, honors, and his own life. It is indispensable that we have fellowship with his sufferings. Made like Christ. We must suffer with him, if we would reign with him.

3. All our sacrifices terminate at death.

Then the Christian can bid adieu to all sorrow and distress. Poverty, reproach, persecution, enemies, are all left on this side of Jordan.

4. We shall be superabundantly rewarded at the last day.

Yes, Paul thus triumphed when he exclaimed, "I have fought a good fight," &c.:

Stephen, when laying down his life, saw "heaven opened," &c. Jesus, when he had endured the cross, was exalted to the right hand, &c. And this is the great cheering promise, "Be thou faithful," &c. Behold the heavenly company arrayed in white robes, palms in their hands, and crowns on their heads. Who are they’97whence came they? These all came out of great tribulation, &c. Rev_7:14.

This is the apostle’s estimate, "These light afflictions which are but for a moment," &c.

Application

1. Who will be Christ’s disciples? Who will have Christ’s yoke with Christ’s favor; Christ’s reproach with his smile Christ’s cross with Christ’s crown?

2. If any are indisposed to make the sacrifices he demands, think of the world’s vanity, uncertainty of life, solemnity of judgment, and the awfulness of eternity.

3. If any are undecided. Now weigh the matter seriously. Weigh the mortal against the immortal; weigh time against eternity; weigh heaven against hell.

4. Let there now be a universal yielding of hearts to God. Fall prostrate at his feet; receive his gospel; behold his cross, and this evening take his yoke, and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS