THE ULTIMATE GOAL
The Ultimate Goal.
Food for thought: what really is your ultimate goal.
I remember when I was younger, I used to have bible study with a large group of people. On particular occasions the preacher taught on Salvation and living a God-focused life. These sermons really worked wonders. Most of us always changed our “ways” ; there was a difference; everything would be smooth sailing. Then about a week after everyone would go back to their “normal self”. By no means is it a bad thing but why do we not make our “normal self” God-focused, living a life free from sin and walking towards righteousness as close as possible?
Let’s focus on these three powerful verses from Matthew 16: 24-26 (KJV)
24: Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25: For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26: For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
So back to the ultimate goal, what is a goal?
It’s a milestone, an attainment, something sought after that has to be reached. We set goals on a daily basis and there are short term and long term goals. The goals we make daily are supposed to lead us to our short or long term goals. So what then is the ultimate goal?
As Christians the Ultimate Goal is to make it to Heaven. Simple. But not so easy, because of the world we live in, it is somewhat hard. Every Christian desires to make heaven but the world is filled with distractions. The world itself is a distraction, we get so blindsided with this world and the things of this world that we lose focus from what really matters. Physical life may end on earth but there is an eternity beyond this earth.
Jesus said in Matthew 14:26 (KJV)
“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? ” Here Jesus is saying, if we have all the wealth, riches and vain things of this world but do not have him, we are nothing. And the second part of the verse which is often forgotten, “or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”; what can you give in exchange for your soul; Nothing!. In plain terms what on this earth is equivalent to the worth of your soul. Still, nothing! It’s only Jesus that can pay the price of our soul.
So how then can we chase this ultimate goal of our Christian walk?
Verse 24, “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Here, Jesus mentions 3 things to do
1.) Deny yourself
2.)Take up your cross (daily)
3.)Follow him.
Theses three actions are arranged accordingly. You can’t follow him before you take up your cross, you deny yourself first, take up your cross then follow him. Although this may not be easy, the word of God and prayer is there to strengthen and see us through.
And the final verse, 25, sums up everything. Most times people lose their direction because they don’t know who they really are or what they should really be. But Jesus said “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” This simply means when you give Jesus your all and make him Number 1 , you will find your true self in Him. He will give you direction and show you the way to the Ultimate Goal.
IfeOluwa Jaiyesimi. ©
The Revolutionary Righter. ©