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The Risky Business of the Gospel

I would probably be right in saying that everyone who follows Jesus, does it so they can gain, and not lose. The secular “business” of the Gospel has made some people very wealthy, but God continually warns us that to gain eternal life, we must be willing to risk, and even lose, everything else (Matthew 10:38–39, NIV).

The apostle Paul tells us that the degree to which you know God is limited by the degree to which you are willing to risk for him (Philippians 3:7–10). Those who are willing to risk much for their Savior will drink deeply from the life-giving waters that springs from his heart. You have to be willing to let go of everything that is selfish and material in order to understand God and gain eternity.

The call of Christ is “follow me.” Read Philippians 2:5–11 and be reminded of how much Jesus risked for love. 

The best kind of risk is when you know that you are perfectly safe. It’s only when you have understood the Gospel that you’ll be able to risk everything for the sake of Jesus.

If you really want to know God, then you need to risk for him; otherwise you’re just a by-stander in the Kingdom. Following Jesus isn’t a spectator sport; it’s risky business.

When we look at Jesus and the twelve disciples, we see that he was always calling them to risk more for his sake. What have you risked for God? Find a quiet space and ask God what you need to risk for him? What is an area in your life in which you need to grow?

By Dr. Eliezer Gonzalez