What Is A Man Profited?

Having lived almost seven decades, it is possible I have learned a thing or two. I know that one day I must stand before my Creator. Who is He? How well do I know Him? The Son of the Father, in what is known as the great intercessory prayer, declared that “…this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) How can we come to know Him? Certainly not by meaningless platitudes, for except we apply sincere repentance in our lives, and commit, with all our heart, mind, and main to keep His commandments to the end of our days, we will have not an inkling of Him, for He will not be mocked by fawning insincerity. Unto Simon Peter, the resurrected Lord posed the question: “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest me more than these?” These? “These,” are anything and everything which would serve as a barrier between us and Him. We must give up all our sins to know Him! “For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Matthew 16:16) Much is at stake, for in this tiny sliver of time we call life, we by our thoughts, language, and the actions that follow, are deciding our fate in eternity. Can we not do better? Indeed, we must! Begin now, by quiet and thoughtful acts of kindness, and by and by, pride will slip away, to be replaced by humility. True and sincere repentance will follow. Then will the Lord lead you by the hand, and your light will begin to rise in obscurity. Is that not marvelous to the thought?