Faith & Reason Nexus

Mark 8:36-38

Refusing to be a faithful Christian comes with great cost. One sacrifices:

1. His Soul
   Genesis 2:7 – The soul is God’s gift and part of who we are.
   Matthew 10:28 – “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.”
   Ezekiel 18:20 – “The soul who sins is the one who will die.”
   Romans 6:23 – “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
   Be faithful always, for the soul is of eternal value.
2. Any Hope of Heaven
   John 14:6 – Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him.
   1 Peter 1:3-5 – The inheritance in heaven is for those who are faithful to Christ.
   Matthew 5:11-12 – The reward in heaven is for those who endure persecution for righteousness.
   Matthew 25:30 – “Throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
   The hope of heaven is lost when we are unfaithful.
3. The Highest Joy
   Acts 8:39 – “When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.”
   Galatians 5:22-23 – Faithfulness produces the fruit of the Spirit, which includes joy.
   Psalm 16:11 – “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
   Unfaithfulness sacrifices the true joy that comes from knowing God.
4. Influence for Truth
   Revelation 14:13 – “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord… they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”
   Hebrews 11:4 – “By faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.”
   1 Corinthians 11:1 – “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
   A lack of faithfulness forfeits the influence we have to guide others toward the truth.
5. True Peace
   Romans 5:1 – “Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
   Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God… will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
   Jeremiah 6:14 – “They offer superficial treatments for my people’s mortal wound. They give assurances of peace when there is no peace.”
   Isaiah 57:21 – “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”
   Without faithfulness, true peace is unattainable.
6. Real Success
   Mark 8:36-37 – “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”
   1 Timothy 6:6-8 – “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”
   Philippians 3:13-14 – “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
   Success in the eyes of the world is futile without faithfulness to Christ.

It Costs Not to Be a Faithful Christian!

Being unfaithful costs everything of eternal value—our soul, our hope of heaven, true joy, peace, influence for truth, and real success. But in Christ, faithfulness leads to eternal rewards and fulfillment.