FOR whosoever will save his life *shall lose it*; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same *shall save it*. _Mark 8:35._ AND Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath *left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands* for my sake, and the gospel’s; but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. _Mark 10:29-30._ Can you not *give up some thing* for Christ, who has done so much for you? FOR ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that *ye through his* poverty might be *rich*. _II Corinthians 8:9._ *Paul* gave up *all* for Christ. BUT what things were *gain to me*, those *I counted loss* for Christ. _Philippians 3:7._ If we follow Christ, *as we should*, we will be called to make *some sacrifice*. SO likewise, whosoever he be of you that *forsaketh not all that he hath*, he cannot be my disciple. _Luke 14:33._ We are *strengthened* however in our suffering when we recall the promise. *IF we suffer, we shall also reign* with him: if we deny him, he also will deny *us*. _II Timothy 2:12._ Excuses. *The christian life Is TOO HARD.* Some say that the Christian life is hard, but they are mistaken about this; they may have tried to *reform in their own strength*, but they know nothing about the power of the Spirit in their souls *to save, keep* and *deliver* them— FOR this is the love of God, that we *keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous*. _I John 5:3._ HER ways are *ways of pleasantness*, and all her *paths are peace*. _Proverbs 3:17._ THOU wilt show me the *path* of *life*: in thy presence is *fullness of joy*; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. _Psalms 16:11._ FOR the Lord God is a *sun* and *shield*: the *Lord* will *give grace* and *glory: no good thing will be withhold* from them that *walk uprightly*. _Psalms 84:11._ It is the *sinful*, and *rebellious* life that is hard. There are certain worldly pleasures that please the carnal heart for a few moments, but these are like the foam on the “soda water” that passes quickly, they do not give true satisfaction.