Quid Pro Quo

What would a man give in exchange for his life? (Matthew 16:26b)

As I read and hear much of the “news” these days, the last half of Jesus’s question keeps coming to mind. This is an old problem, and mankind has been “exchanging things” for as long as they have been on Earth. Adam exchanged his purity before God for a life of toil, pain, suffering, and ultimately, physical death.

Lots of politicians, in my opinion, exchange their honesty, promises, integrity, and usefulness for position, power, and profits. It appears many an “actor” has exchanged his or her honor for a “part,” recognition, or fame, more or less. Prominent individuals have exchanged their future, their wealth, their companies, for hidden pleasures. Young men and women have exchanged their life for a “high,” some “fun,” or just foolish moments. Athletes often exchange their bodies for an enhanced ability to perform, and spouses exchange one another almost as if they were changing socks. Do any of them. . .all of them. . .believe it is a quid pro quo?

There is no quid pro quo with God. There are no even exchanges. It is the most unilateral exchange in history. It is His magnificent exchange of everything for nothing, life for death. God gives life. . .first time, second time. But all of us must trade. We exchange our violation of His design for His righteousness. We exchange our miserable sinfulness for His absolute holiness. We exchange our misery and pain, suffering and hurt, for His peace, joy, mercy, and grace. We exchange our human uselessness in our World for absolute glory in His World.

He makes the offer of exchange through the sacrifice of HIS Son. We accept the grace He gives, utilizing the faith He provides (Ephesians 2:8-9), along with the infinite gifts He bestows (Ephesians 1:3) available to us in this life, and then. . .the unspeakable majesty of the next (Revelation 21:1-5).