Selling the House

Selling the House

A friend of mine bought a house for $11,000, and lived in it for about five years. Then he had to move to another city. Knowing that prices had gone up, he hoped to get $13,000 or $14,000 for it. He advertised the place for sale, and almost immediately a prospective buyer came to see him. When he was asked the price, the owner said, "Make me an offer." Without batting an eye the visitor replied, $17,000." Hiding his amazement, my friend replied, "Well, I would like to get $20,000 for it." The buyer pulled out a checkbook and said, "Let's split the difference, I'll pay you $5,000 on account. I've got to catch a plane and get back home to get ready to move." So the deal was concluded on that basis. $13,000 or $14,000 would have been acceptable; $17,000 was agreeable; the final price of $18,500 was very well-pleasing!

The Lord God planned our redemption, and Jesus Christ accomplished it by giving Himself for us. When we understand this and present our bodies to the Lord as living sacrifices it is not only acceptable to Him, it is agreeable, it is well-pleasing to Him. In return He shows us His will for our lives, and then we learn by experience that His will is good, well-pleasing and perfect.

1. How do we then work out our salvation with fear and trembling?
2. Is offering our lives as a sacrifice to the Lord of our own doing?
3. If not, who’s doing is it that enables sinful humanity to be a worth sacrifice to the Lord?