Once there was a man who collected and traded in pearls. He had a fine collection of his own. But one day, while he was away on business, he spotted a beautiful pearl in a Jeweler's window. It was a pearl such as he had never seen, perfect in shape, size, and color. He thought to himself, "I must have that pearl." So he went into the Jewelry store and ask to see that beautiful pearl. The Jeweler carefully spread a piece of black velvet on the counter top, and gently placed the pearl upon it. The man was overwhelmed at the sight of that pearl. With great intensity he looked the pearl over, carefully examining it. Finally, he said to the Jeweler, "That's got to be the most exquisite pearl I have ever seen." The Jeweler replied, "My friend, that is the most exquisite pearl in the whole world. There is not another one anywhere to compare with it." "I must have that pearl," the man said. "How much is it?" The gentleman behind the counter replied, "I am afraid that you cannot afford this pearl." "But I must have it; I'll pay anything," the man said. "Anything?" replied the Jeweler. "Yes, anything," "Very well. If you want this pearl, you can buy it; but it will cost you everything you have." "Everything I have:" the man exclaimed. "Yes, everything." He paced the floor for a while. At last, he said, "I must have that pearl, I'll pay the price." So he took out his wallet and began to count his money. He kept only five dollars for himself. He said, "I will have to buy some gas for my car." The jeweler said, "Do you have a car? It will cost you your car too." "But how will I get back and forth to work?" "Oh do you have a job? It will cost you your job too." "But," the man said, "If I give up my job, how will I pay for my house?" "Oh, you-have a house? I am afraid that this pearl will cost you your house too." "But, sir, what would then become of my family, my wife and children?" "Do you have a family? It wiI1 cost you your family too." Then the man said, "But that's everything I have." The jeweler responded, "I told you, it will cost you everything you have to obtain this pearl." "But I didn't know you meant everything." "Yes, everything." At last the man said, "I must have that pearl. I'll pay it." And he gave him everything he had. Then the Jeweler gave him the pearl. And he gave him his money, the keys to his car, the deed to his home, his job, and his family. He said, now remember all of these things belong to me. I want you to take them and use them. But don't ever forget, they belong to me. Anytime that I call for them, or call upon you to use them for me, you must remember they are all mine. You gave them to me for this pearl."
Now, my friends, the Lord Jesus Christ is the Pearl of great price. If you would have him, you must surrender all to him. He said, "The kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it" (Matt. 13:45-46). He said also, "Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:33). My friends, true christianity, true saving faith involves a total surrender to Christ the Lord. Either you will be a servant under the dominion of King Jesus, voluntarily giving up all to his claims, or you will go to hell! You may not have to give up anything in actuality. But surrender to Christ must be just as real and complete in your heart as if you had actually given up everything, even down to tife itself. Our Lord Jesus Christ requires total and unreserved surrender to himself. Christ wilI be Lord of all, or he will not be Lord at all. Is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, your Lord? Is he truly your Lord?
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