Gospel Reflections #353: It's not about our Efforts but God's

Mark 8:36 “What does it profit a man if he loses his life, even if he gains the whole world?"

We may live our lives as we see fit, but if we are not given eternal life, it will be nothing more than complacency.

And if we put effort into controlling our lives in order to gain eternal life, it would only be selfishness.

Jesus said, "Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for Jesus' sake and for the sake of the gospel will save it."

Jesus continues to focus solely on our salvation, and He has not wavered from it in His life here on earth or in His work in heaven.

Sometimes, we get depressed that we can’t do anything good or work for Jesus, but all we have to do is remember what Jesus has done for us and do it for someone else.

Listening to someone's problems, forgiving someone who has hurt you, talking to someone, or smiling back at them is a representation of Jesus.

Even if no one appreciates these small works of ours, even if no one notices them, God is aware of them and is pleased with them.

In order for us to be convinced that even though we have nothing to gain in this world, God's presence with us and the promise that He will come for us is enough, we need to look at who our God is, how much He has done for us, and what He will do for us in the future.

God will surely respond to us. God will surely respond to us and fill us with joy, praise, and hope!

This Gospel Reflections page is written by Masae San who lives in Hiroshima, Japan. She is a devoted student of the Bible who passionately embraces the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shares her daily reflections on the Gospels as a way to reach out to others and spread the message of God's true love through the Christ-centered approach of Biblical Reflections. We're sharing her message here so that you too can experience the joy that comes from knowing and understanding the true Gospel