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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? Matthew 16:25-26. These are the words of Jesus. Previously, Jesus said, whoever would follow Him must deny himself and take up his cross. It is a one-way trip. The cross was a way to execute people. If we are not willing to sacrifice everything for Christ, how can we receive the reward. There is no reward here. Paul said he died daily. Putting the world behind him and moving forward to the high calling of Christ. There is no resurrection to eternal life without death. Jesus sacrificed everything for us. Jesus says clearly what will you get if you have all the world has to give, but lose the eternal reward. Jesus died and rose from death, and we shall all have our day and hour. Yet as we live, we must live as dead in Christ. Whatever is between Christ and us will never make up for the loss of heaven. Christ will reward each according to their works. The ultimate gain or loss will be revealed at that time. A lifetime of following Christ is not easy. We need encouragement. Christ is in heaven interceding for us. So if the going gets easy, look where you're going. It might be downhill. Amen.