Every Man Has His Price

For what price will a man sell his soul? Some sell out cheap for something as low as strong drink or drugs. Others will sell out for popularity or fame. Some will sell their soul for money. And the list goes on. But the critical question is, for what will you sell your soul? What is your price, my price?

Jesus Christ is bidding for your soul and so is the devil. Each makes persuasive offers. But our sinful nature makes us easy bait to sell out to the devil; it is being done all the time.

Jesus is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). In contrast, the devil is "a liar and the father of it" (John 8:44). The problem is that we naturally love lies. We will even lie to ourselves in order to justify selling out for some supposed advantage. Satan dangles the "carrots," and fools by nature, we find it difficult to resist selling out at his price. Satan always disguises his price tag for the bargain he offers. He promises all that heart could wish. He even offers us the privilege to dwell with him eternally. But behind it all the diabolical reality is cleverly disguised. The true price is hidden from our dazzled eyes until it is too late to recover ourselves from the consequences.

Jesus is just the opposite. He tells us the price up front. To follow Him will cost you everything— heart, soul, mind, and body. It will mean death to your self life. It will mean suffering for His name. It will mean being hated by the world. Sound like a bargain? It truly is. For His price you receive forgiveness, joy, blessing, and eternal life. Yes, you will have troubles along the way in this life, but it is not to be compared to peace in the heart and the joy of serving our Creator. He gives us inward power by His Spirit to live our lives as overcomers. To have Jesus as our King is priceless.

Would you tell a lie in order to gain some benefit?

Would you act a lie in order to avoid the consequences of the truth?

Would you blame others for things that are your fault?

Would you give up integrity for money?

Would you give up purity for lust?

Would you give up truth to be accepted?

The list could go on, but the critical question comes back to your choices and mine. What is your price? We can sell out cheap to the devil and abide with him forever. But Jesus came to deliver us from the power of Satan and make us new creatures in Christ. His price is high, but His rewards are priceless and eternal. Praise God!

—Silas Martin