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Mark 
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Day 192

2 Peter 2:10b "They are presumptuous, self-willed."

Day 192 – Mark 8

“They are presumptuous, self-willed.” 2 Peter 2:10b

THE WORTH OF A SOUL

Jesus was unafraid of speaking on the subject of self-denial and cross-bearing because He saw beyond this earthly life. He went on to wrap up this subject of suffering with the following words.

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world,
and loses his own soul?
Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words
in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him
the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes
in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
MARK 8:36-38

1. Ashamed of Christ and His teachings?

What makes a person afraid of suffering for Jesus? Is it a fear of the world and what it would say? Is there shame felt?

2. Christ would be ashamed of those who are afraid to stand up for their faith

a) Solemn words
Jesus minced no words when He made this statement. He would be ashamed of those who did not dare to stand up for their faith in Him.
b) The glory of the Father and the holy angels
Jesus saw beyond the suffering of this world. It is nothing compared to the true and great glory that may be experienced when the Son of Man returns.

3. The worth of the soul

What is the worth of the soul? Few take time to ponder this question. Jesus gave His estimate of the worth of the soul.

a) If the world were to offer all its riches
What if the world offers all its riches if one would deny faith in Jesus and His teachings? Would material gain be worth the loss of the soul?
b) Assessment of choices
The careful hearer must weigh all the choices before him and then decide.
i) Suffering for the sake of Christ- but with the hope of gaining the soul.
ii) Avoidance of suffering- but with the possibility of losing the soul.
c) Making the right choice
It was entirely up to the individual to make his personal choice!