What “IF” Never Happens

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? 27 For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds. 28 And I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”

Matthew 16:24-27

A teacher friend of mine had a stock answer for students who asked the question “What if?”

His answer? “What “ifs” never happen.”

The “what if” question is one we ask throughout our lives. It’s actually a fantasy question. We have fantasies about things we believe we need. We imagine them happening and it becomes a “what if.” He was right-“what ifs” never happen. Consider this truth. If you actually got your fantasy; it’s still only temporary. You cannot take “what ifs’ with you when you die. Only you can fit in a coffin or urn.

Jesus, “visible image of the invisible God”, clarifies our desire for the “what ifs’ in life. Read His questions again: And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?

What are the answers to these two questions? Question one-gain the whole world but lose your soul. When we die the whole world remains. Only the human soul moves into eternity. The human soul-yours is your most valuable human possession because it is eternal. Nothing is more valuable than your soul.

The Bible clearly tells us how to SAVE our souls…

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9

Let go of your “what if?” thinking. Give it up. Fix your eyes on Jesus. This world is not all there is.