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Heaven & Christ’s Return

A Real Tragedy

Listen first. Then read the words, explore the Scripture pathway, and follow the song beyond itself to Jesus.

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Lyrics

[Verse 1] In a world measured by gain No prize for struggle or pain Some say it’s a tragedy If riches and wealth aren’t to be But life is only a few days Before it’s gone and passed away So friend—measure the cost Of your soul—saved or lost. [Verse 2] Those living for only gain Living for all they can attain Say life is a tragedy If they can’t have it all— And do as they please But what’s a real tragedy Is at the end so easy to see Living in riches and dying lost Oh right now—consider the cost [Chorus] At the end of your days— Were they spent in service and praise Or at the end of your days— Will all be lost and fade away Ohhhh—when you stand at God’s throne— Will you hear—well done? Will your life count for eternity— Or will you just pass away— Ohhhh—now that—will be a real tragedy. [Verse 3] Houses and land—even riches untold What is their worth—if you lose your own soul Thousands who gather that day—as your friends Won’t mean much at all— Unless Jesus is yours at the end What will be the worth of your years Except for lost souls—you shed many tears Will all have been done—in Jesus’s name— Or pass away—like you never came [Chorus] At the end of your days— Were they spent in service and praise Or at the end of your days— Will all be lost and fade away Ohhhh—when you stand at God’s throne— Will you hear—well done? Will your life count for eternity— Or will you just pass away— Ohhhh—now that—will be a real tragedy. [Bridge] Oh Lord make me all you’d have me to be Lord make of me—a servant only to thee. Let me spend every day Walking in your blessed way And in glory—I’ll lift praise and song With ten thousand times ten thousand— That by your grace—have come along! [Tag] Lord make me all you’d have me to be Lord make of me—a servant only to thee. And when I stand at Your throne— My hope and prize—is to only hear—well done!
Ministry Devotional

A Real Tragedy

Read together: Mark 8:34–37; Luke 12:13–21; James 4:13–14; Psalm 90:12; Matthew 6:19–21; Ephesians 2:8–10; 1 Corinthians 3:11–14; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Matthew 25:14–23; Romans 12:1

Our world keeps score by what we gain. We call it a tragedy when someone loses a fortune, misses a promotion, or never gets the life they wanted. But Scripture asks us to measure life with a different scale.

Read Mark 8:34–37. Jesus asked, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” By Heaven’s accounting, the real tragedy is not dying poor. It is dying without Christ. Read Luke 12:13–21. The rich man in Jesus’ parable planned bigger barns and many easy years, but God said, “You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?” He had stored up treasure for himself, but he was not rich toward God.

Our time is shorter than we think. Read James 4:13–14 and Psalm 90:12. James says our life is “a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” Moses prays, “Teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom.” Numbering our days is not meant to make us afraid. It is meant to make us wise about where we invest them. Read Matthew 6:19–21. Treasure stored on earth will rust, rot, or be taken. Treasure stored in heaven is safe, “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

None of this means we earn our way to Heaven. Read Ephesians 2:8–10. We are saved by grace through faith, not by works—and then we are created in Christ Jesus to do good works that God prepared for us. Read 1 Corinthians 3:11–14 and 2 Corinthians 5:10. Jesus Christ is the only foundation. One day every believer will stand before Him, and what we built on that foundation will be tested. What was done for Him will last.

Read Matthew 25:14–23. In Jesus’ parable, the servants who were faithful with what they had been given heard their master say, “Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter into the joy of your master!” That is a better prize than anything this world can offer. Read Romans 12:1. In view of God’s mercy, we offer our whole lives to Him as living sacrifices—not to earn His love, but because we already have it.

A moment to respond: Read Luke 12:13–21 this week and take an honest look at where your time, money, and energy are going. Ask the Lord to show you one thing to let go of and one way to serve someone in Jesus’ name. If you have never trusted Christ, settle that first: no gain in this life is worth losing your soul.

Let's pray: Lord Jesus, forgive us for measuring our lives by what we gain. Teach us to number our days and to store up treasure in heaven. Make us all You would have us to be, servants who walk in Your ways every day. Thank You that we are saved by Your grace alone. And when we stand before You, let the only prize we long for be to hear You say, “Well done.” Amen.

Our desire at UnrelentingJesus is that no one would gain the world and lose their soul, but that every life would be built on Jesus and spent for what lasts forever.

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