What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
Matthew 16:26 (NIV)
EU•AN•GE•LION (YOO-AN-GEL-EE-ON) · εὐαγγέλιον — Good News
Matthew 16:26
DAY 5 OF 6
What Am I Going to Do About It?
Moving from understanding to decision and commitment
What Is Carrying a Cross? · 6 Days
Matthew 16:26
What Am I Going to Do About It?
“Sym Cross Simple Linocut” — Generated, 2026
GREEK
κερδαίνω
/Kerdaino/(ker-DAH-ee-no)
To gain or to profit
This is often used in commercial contexts – it’s the language of business transactions and cost-benefit analysis applied to the ultimate questions of life.
Moving from Decision to Action
Small daily choices, gradual lifestyle adjustments, and specific commitments can all be expressions of cross-bearing discipleship appropriate to your particular circumstances.
Jesus’s question about gaining the world but forfeiting your soul isn’t rhetorical – it’s a call to serious cost-benefit analysis. Following Jesus requires honestly assessing what we might need to give up and what we stand to gain, both in this life and in eternity.
The ‘cost’ of discipleship might include: Comfort and security that comes from pursuing conventional success; Approval from others who don’t understand our choices; Financial advantages that come from prioritizing profit over principle; Time and energy that could be spent on personal pleasure or advancement; Control over our own agenda and priorities.
The ‘benefit’ of discipleship includes: Alignment with our deepest purpose and calling; Peace that comes from living with integrity; Joy that comes from serving something greater than ourselves; Community with others who share similar values and commitments; Confidence about our eternal destiny and ultimate meaning.
Not everyone is called to make dramatic changes like Dr. Rodriguez’s move to Guatemala. Cross-bearing discipleship begins with honestly assessing where you are and taking the next faithful step, whatever that might be.
Ripple Effects
Six months after Dr. Michael Rodriguez arrived in Guatemala, he received an email from a colleague at Metropolitan Hospital. Dr. James Chen had been offered the position at Johns Hopkins that Michael had turned down, and he was writing to thank Michael for the opportunity. ‘I have to admit, I thought you were crazy when you chose Guatemala over Hopkins,’ Dr. Chen wrote. ‘But I wanted you to know that your decision changed my perspective on what success really means.’
Dr. Chen went on to describe how Michael’s choice had sparked conversations throughout the hospital about the purpose of medicine and the meaning of a successful career. Several doctors had begun volunteering at free clinics, others had changed their research focus to address diseases affecting the global poor, and the hospital had started a new program to train doctors for international service.
Meanwhile, Michael was discovering that his own life had been transformed in ways he hadn’t anticipated. The work was indeed challenging – he was performing complex surgeries with basic equipment, training local doctors with limited resources, and living far more simply than he ever had. But he had also experienced a sense of purpose and fulfillment that had been missing from his previous success.
The breakthrough moment had come three months earlier when he successfully performed a complex cardiac procedure on a seven-year-old girl named Sofia, whose family had traveled for days to reach the clinic. As Sofia recovered and returned to her village, Michael realized that this single surgery would allow her to live a full life, attend school, and contribute to her community in ways that would have been impossible without the intervention.
Sometimes what we think we’re sacrificing turns out to be what was keeping us from discovering our true purpose and deepest fulfillment.
Practical Steps for Cross-Bearing
Financial Discipleship: Establish a giving plan that requires some sacrifice and trust. Make consumer decisions based on kingdom values. Consider career choices based on calling and contribution. Practice contentment with ‘enough’ rather than always wanting more. Relational Discipleship: Prioritize relationships that matter most. Practice forgiveness and reconciliation. Look for ways to serve others. Engage in difficult conversations when truth and love require it. Vocational Discipleship: Approach your work as a calling to serve God and others. Use your influence to promote justice and integrity. Be willing to make professional choices based on ethical considerations. Community Discipleship: Participate actively in Christian community. Be part of relationships where others can challenge and encourage you. Work with others to address community needs. Both seek mentors and mentor others.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Cross-bearing discipleship is difficult to sustain in isolation. We need relationships with others who share similar commitments and can encourage us when the cost feels overwhelming.
The key to growing as a cross-bearing disciple is to view failures as opportunities for learning rather than reasons for despair. Most of us will fall short regularly – the goal is persistent growth, not perfection.
BRIDGE TO CHRIST
ANCIENT TRUTH
Jesus asked what good it would be to gain the whole world but forfeit your soul, calling his followers to count the cost and choose wisely.
The ‘whole world’ for us might be career success, financial security, social status, or personal comfort – anything we might be tempted to prioritize over following Jesus.
MODERN APPLICATION
Today we face the same choice: will we invest our lives in what culture says matters, or in what will matter eternally?
NEW TESTAMENT ECHO
Jesus promised that those who lose their life for his sake will find it – this promise gives us confidence to make sacrificial choices today.
“Sym Cross Burgundy Linocut” — Generated, 2026
DECISION-POINT
How do I calculate the true cost and benefit of following Jesus versus pursuing worldly success and security?
- What specific areas of your life do you sense God calling you to greater faithfulness and sacrifice? What would it look like to take the next step in those areas?
- What fears or concerns do you have about following Jesus more radically? How might you address those fears while still moving forward in faith?
- What practical commitments are you willing to make this week to begin living more as a cross-bearing disciple?
PRAYER
(personal)Posture: petition
Give me wisdom to see clearly what truly matters, and courage to make decisions based on eternal rather than temporary values.
TAKEAWAY
Before this day ends, make one specific commitment that will cost you something but serve God’s kingdom. Write it down. Tell someone about it. Start tomorrow.
LEAVING AT THE CROSS
- The assumption that I can follow Jesus without any real cost
- The habit of making decisions based solely on personal benefit
- The fear that keeps me from taking the next faithful step
RECEIVING FROM THE CROSS
- Clarity about specific ways I can live as a cross-bearing disciple
- Accountability relationships to support my commitments
- Confidence that taking these steps will lead to authentic life
CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
FOR REFLECTION
- What specific commitments are you making as a result of this week’s study?
- How will you measure your progress in following Jesus more faithfully?
- What community support will you need to sustain these commitments?
FOR ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNERS
- Share one specific commitment you’re making to live as a cross-bearing disciple
- Identify one fear that’s holding you back from greater faithfulness
- Ask each other: ‘What’s the one thing you’re most afraid to sacrifice for Jesus?’
Finished reading? Mark this day read.