He Is No Fool Who Gives What He Cannot Keep…

...to gain what he cannot lose.

Jim Elliott penned these words in his journal shortly before his death, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Jim and four other missionaries paid the ultimate price when they were killed while participating in Operation Auca, during an attempt to evangelize the Huaorani people in Ecuador.

This is a guest post by Beth Harris. She is a wife, mother, Bible study leader and volunteer editor for markalanwilliams.net.

They gave their temporary lives, which were not theirs to keep, to gain what they could not lose, i.e. eternal life and the blessings of heaven.

Please click here to learn more about Jim Elliot.

I don’t know what it’s like to be truly persecuted, imprisoned, tortured or martyred for the Christian faith.

But, I do know the backlash that comes from not siding with the majority. I have been ridiculed in my defense of the Bible. I do know the painful separation of loved ones who walk paths I cannot follow. I know the sting of rejection from expressing unpopular viewpoints.

It feels lonely sometimes, yet I am not alone. Jesus is with me and He is worth it all.

In Luke 14:28-30 Jesus said,

Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’” (NIV)

Salvation is free but there is a price to pay if we want to be disciples of Jesus. 

Jesus wants us to estimate the cost of what we might have to spend or give up to follow Him, such as our time, finances, relationships and lives.

Matthew 16:24 says, “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’” (NIV)

We spend our time and money on any number of things to accomplish our hopes, dreams and wishes. This isn’t necessarily wrong. But, are we willing to sacrifice and surrender these things to follow Jesus?

Jesus wants us to submit to Him and surrender everything to His Lordship or rule.

He loves us and knows that unless we put Him first in our lives, other things and people will vie for that position and take His place.

Matthew 16:25-26 says, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (NIV)

It is better to gain what you cannot lose than to gain the world and forfeit your soul.

If we live life on our own terms without Jesus, we will lose it for eternity.

Lastly, the Bible teaches that we will be compensated for what we have given up.

Matthew 19:29 says, “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” (NIV)

What might Jesus be asking you to give up to follow Him?

Remember: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

Your thoughts are welcome! You can leave a comment below.

Help Spread the Word! If you found this article helpful, we’d love for you to share it with others on social media or otherwise. This will help get the Word in front of more people who need biblical guidance. Thanks for your help!

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Additional resources about related subjects on this site:

• The Goal of the Great Commission is Disciples

• Podcast: What’s the value of 1 to 1 discipleship?

• The Power of Mentoring

• 4 Great Questions to Ignite Passion for Evangelism in a Lost World

• Please DO Call Yourself a Christian If…

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The Shortest Distance Between A Problem And A Solution…

…is the distance between your knees and the floor.

Is the shortest distance between a problem and a solution found through prayer as this quote suggests? We all have problems and we are no doubt looking for solutions. But, why do we try to fix problems on our own or enlist the advice of others before we pray?

This is a guest post by Beth Harris. She is a wife, mother, Bible study leader and volunteer editor for markalanwilliams.net.

Maybe, we are looking for a quick fix. But as I think about it, prayer is the quick fix because God always answers prayer.

A few weeks ago, I encountered the problem of being locked out of my car at the grocery store. My key fob wasn’t working. As I began walking the mile home, praying and venting, I sensed the Lord asking me to thank Him for my blessings. So, I began thanking Him, though it was a little challenging at first.

Then I thought, maybe I should call my husband to see if he has left work early, which he rarely does. Remarkably he was just 10 minutes away. He showed me the emergency key hidden inside the fob. Problem solved.

If only every solution were that simple.

God is the great problem solver and He can help us find a solution to every problem we face.

Prayer is simply talking to God, but first we have to make sure that we are right with Him.

We do this by confessing our sins, receiving His forgiveness and coming into a relationship with Him by receiving His Son, Jesus Christ.

To receive Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord click HERE.

After receiving Jesus, we remain in fellowship with the Lord through Bible reading, worship, prayer and keeping a short account with Him of our sins through regular confession.

1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (NIV)

Jesus assures us in John 14:14, “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (NIV)

Furthermore, the Bible encourages us to keep praying:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)

Romans 12:12 says, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”(NIV)

Luke 18:1 says, “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” (NIV)

While God does answer prayer and His solutions are always best, they may not be the easiest or most convenient.

A problem and a solution might seem impossible. Sometimes the solution comes quickly and other times the solution may be for us to continue praying and trusting in Him.

The truth is that God in His perfect wisdom, doesn’t give us everything that we pray for, because not everything is in our best interest.

But, we can trust that He is working for our good as Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (NIV)

In addition to prayer, God will often give a solution through His Word. Therefore, we need to develop a habit of letting Him speak to us by reading the Bible. This is the way to know if our solutions are Biblically based.

Applying Biblical principles enables us to build a firm foundation for life that will help us to stay grounded when the storms of life come.

Lastly, after praying and reading the Bible, if we are still unsure of a solution to a problem; then we can obtain wise counsel from a Christian Pastor or mature Christian.

Always confirm any counsel with the truth of Scripture and make sure they are in agreement.

“The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor.” Charles Stanley

Who do you go to when you have a problem?

Your thoughts are welcome! You can leave a comment below.

Help Spread the Word! If you found this article helpful, we’d love for you to share it with others on social media or otherwise. This will help get the Word in front of more people who need biblical guidance. Thanks for your help!

Additional resources about related subjects on this site:

• Unanswered Prayer is a Misnomer: God Always Answers

• Nothing Lies Beyond the Reach of Prayer

• Podcast Why Aren’t My Prayers Answered?

• Seven Ways to Pray When Suffering

• Podcast: How should I pray when suffering?

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How To Share Biblical Correction And Guidance

It’s not that hard to do.

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Most Christians, like me, probably don’t particularly like to give biblical correction and guidance. It often seems too confrontational, too holier-than-thou, and too dangerous to a relationship. Yet biblical correction doesn’t have to be any of these. In fact, it can be a blessing to both the recipient and the giver.

Some time ago I found myself in a situation where I needed to give correction. I prayed a lot, sought counsel and somewhat nervously approached the person needing help. To my amazement and relief that person thanked me afterwards!

Another time, in a similar situation, the loving correction I shared was rejected outright. However, over time that Christian realized the folly of disobeying the Bible. That individual has become one of my greatest supporters in ministry!

All Christians are called to a ministry of biblical correction and guidance from time to time. Matthew 18:15-18 describes a process of correction which begins by going personally to help another Christian. Going to other people first is the sin of gossip.

But before proceeding, we must make sure we’re going with the right attitude and approach.

So, here are three Scriptural guidelines for how to share biblical correction and guidance:

1. Examine yourself first.

Jesus was clear about this. He said, “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5 ESV)

We should take the speck out by examining our own life for sin. Ironically, often the sins that we see in others are sins that irritate us about our own behavior.

Thus, we must also make sure our motives are right. We must approach biblical correction with humility and a sincere desire to help and not just provoke.

Then, as Ephesians 4:25 says, Christians are to “speak the truth in love.”

2. Be sure your guidance is biblical correction, not personal bias.

The Bible must be our guide. We must not be motivated just by personal preferences.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (1 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV)

Sometimes I want to correct, but I have to recognize that my “correction” is simply my own bias. At that point, I remind myself to back off.

Other times, when I think it is appropriate, I give personal advice. But I am careful to make clear that it is my own opinion, not biblical correction. Thus, my advisee can take it or leave it. I might think they’re foolish not to follow my advice, but it’s their choice.

However, when Scripture is clear about an issue, then I speak lovingly yet boldly about what God is clear on. For example, see my articles on What Scripture Says About Homosexuality: Uncut, Uncensored and Unedited and The Abortion Issue Made Easy.

3. Make sure you have the right goal: not to “win” but to “win over”

The goal of biblical correction is never to win an argument, or to prove you’re right, or to get a leg up on a fellow believer. The goal is the help a fellow Christian understand and abide by God’s Word.

In Acts 18 and 19, there are two great examples of this. In Acts 18:23-28 we read how Priscilla and Aquila, a husband and wife ministry team, instructed Apollos. He knew of Jesus’ baptism by John, but was not aware of Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins, His resurrection, His ascension and the sending of the Holy Spirit. Apollos gladly received their biblical correction and guidance.

In the next chapter, Acts 19:1-7, we read how the Apostle Paul connected with twelve disciples of John the Baptist. They had received John’s baptism of repentance, but had never heard of Jesus the Messiah. Thus, they had never had a chance to put their faith in Christ. So, Paul lovingly instructed them about Jesus. After receiving the Good News of Jesus, they gladly became His followers.

In both these cases, the approach was gentle and loving. In both cases, the correction was graciously received. This should be our goal as well.

“A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.” (2 Timothy 2:24 NLT)

In summary, biblical correction is the responsibility of all Christians. When it is done as described in this article, it can be very profitable.

Your thoughts are welcome! Please leave your comment below.

Help Spread the Word! If you found this article helpful, we’d love for you to share it with others on social media or otherwise. This will help get the Word in front of more people who need biblical guidance. Thanks for your help!

Additional resources about related subjects on this site:

• Jesus Wasn’t Always “Seeker Sensitive”

• Have You Written Your Own Bible?

• Having Just One Person to Please Brings Peace

• Is Donald Trump a Christian?

• Podcast: Does salvation come only through faith in Christ? (exclusivism)

• Video vlog: Twisting Scripture

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NOTE: Facebook is random. Email is reliable. Subscribe via email and you won’t miss any of my articles, podcasts or videos. You’ll also get my eBook: 10 Prayers to Unlock Heaven on Earth