Take it or Leave it

Jesus has made you an offer. Will you take it or leave it?

“Take it or leave it.” That is a saying one may hear when negotiating. An offer is made on a deal, and it can be either accepted or rejected. Both parties want the best end of the deal; is there an offer that will work for both? If Jesus were to say to you, “Take it or leave it,” what would you do?

Jesus’ disciples had to make that choice. When Jesus called Levi [Matthew] to follow Him, he “left all, rose up, and followed Him (Luke 5:28).” Likewise, Peter said to Jesus, “See, we have left all and followed You (Mark 10:28).” Peter and Andrew immediately left their nets to follow Jesus (Matthew 4:18-20), and James and John immediately left their boat and their father to follow Him (Matthew 4:21-22).

Imagine what would have happened if the disciples decided to take what they had. They would have gained physically, but would have lost spiritually. Jesus asked, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul (Matthew 16:26)?”

What might you have? If Jesus were to make a deal with you, would you take it or leave it? Jesus said, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lost it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 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 (Mark 8:34-37)?”

“Take it or leave it.” What will you do with the salvation offered by Jesus? The choice is yours.

Salvation:  Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully