While it seems most people reject Christ, those same people would also jump at the chance to get everything He offers. They want the benefits without the sacrifice. Who wouldn’t want that deal? The deal Jesus offers is better by far, but on the surface, it doesn’t look like it is. As with many things in life, looks can be deceiving.
The people of this world want peace, happiness, and wealth without surrendering their selfish desires. Jesus promises rest, joy, and an eternity in paradise, but He does require that you first surrender everything to Him. (Luke 14:33; Matthew 16:24) So, don’t come to Christ for what He will do for you. Come to Christ to die. (Galatians 2:19-20; Luke 9:23)
That sounds a bit extreme, doesn’t it? Come to Christ to die? What kind of life is that? It’s the most fulfilling and rewarding life you can imagine. Living for yourself doesn’t bring joy or peace. (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11; Isaiah 57:20-21) Don’t believe me? How much joy and peace did you have before you surrendered your life to Christ? If you’ve never made that commitment, how much peace and joy do you have right now? There is no peace without Jesus because He is the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6; John 14:27)
The most popular form of Christian teaching in the world today is the so-called “prosperity gospel,” which teaches that Jesus wants you to be happy, healthy, and wealthy in this life. That’s found nowhere in the Bible when we read it in its proper context. These charlatans promise healing and financial relief all while demanding more and more of the little money you do have. This isn’t the gospel, and it has no power to save you. (Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Peter 2:1-3) You can’t give to get from God. Everything He gives is because of His grace and kindness towards us. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-5) There is no catch, and no repayment is required.
Unless you come to Christ to die, you will never know what it means to live. (John 12:24-25; Philippians 1:21) Everything you might live for in this world is going to fade with time and decay with age. (1 John 2:17; Isaiah 40:6-8) Nothing on earth will last or satisfy in the end. (Ecclesiastes 1:2; John 4:13-14) A moment of pleasure is a poor trade for an eternity in Hell. (Mark 8:36; Hebrews 11:24-25) Our problem is that we think that the here and now is all that there is. Our time in this body is nothing but a breath when compared to eternity. Life was never meant to be about us or this planet. It was always about being in a relationship with our Creator. (James 4:14; Colossians 1:16)
Living for anything or anyone besides Jesus is going to end not only in disappointment but with an eternal reservation in a very real lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-9) Are the things you find so rewarding in this life worth that eternal reality? You think you are living the good life, but it’s all a lie, a deception created by Satan himself. (John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 4:4) It won’t last, and when your time is up, it will be too late to turn back. Deep down, do you believe this life is all about you? Who gave you the mind to think so? Everything is about God, and nothing is about you. If you want both an abundant life in this world and an eternal life with God in Heaven, you must come to Christ to die. (John 10:10; Romans 14:7-8)