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QUESTION 42:
"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it." Mark 8:35. What does this mean?

ANSWER:
The context of this verse is the Lord speaking to His disciples and those who would become disciples. Mark 8:34. What He is saying in the verse above does not have anything to do with salvation, as such, but rewards to those who are saved. Salvation is a gift from God. '..the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23.

Rewards are earned for our obedience and service after we are saved. The "saving of the soul," in the Bible has to do with people who are already saved. The word "soul" in Mark 8:36, is the same word "life" in the verse above. What the verse is saying is this: If a Christian lives his life for self, now, he will lose all rewards in eternity. He will be saved, but "as by fire," 1 Corinthians 3:15. If he loses his life now, (by living for the Lord), he will save it at the judgment seat of Christ and receive a full reward. 2 John 1:8.

One of the five martyred missionaries to the Acua Indians said, "A man is no fool that loses now what he cannot keep to gain what he can never lose." This fits well in the verse above. If you are saved and live for self, you are going to lose out at the judgment seat for believers, if you live in obedience and service now for the Lord you will be fully rewarded at the judgment seat. If you are not saved, you are a loser now and in eternity. Why not turn to the Lord in true repentance and faith in Christ so that you may be saved. Then, you can live your life for the glory of God and for eternal bliss with Him. The choice is yours, "Whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16. Dear reader, why go to that judgment? Why not go to Calvary where your sins we justly judged when they were upon God dear Son? He died for you. He loves you and He wants you. Trust Him and be saved today.

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen