The Price Of A Man's Soul

What is our soul? Well, we look to the good ol' dictionary to see what it has to say on the subject? "Speak to me, oh book of words!"

1. an entity which is regarded as being the immortal or spiritual part of a person and which, having no physical or material reality, is credited with the functions of thinking, willing, and choosing
2. the moral or emotional nature of a human being  

Some say that the soul is the real "you" that occupies this body of flesh. I heard one preacher say that the body we each possess is simply the goat we ride around on while we are on this planet. That the real "us" is inside. Can't say I disagree with that assumption. In some way's I do find it hard to grasp what is and what isn't our soul. The one thing I am sure of is I just know that God places a high value on it. 

Take for instance the verse from Matthew 16. Jesus talks about what do we profit if we gain the world and yet lose our soul. From this, I come away with the idea that the human soul must be of a value and worth that supersedes my understanding. The idea of turning a profit from the things of this world in exchange for our soul is not held in high regard by Jesus. The soul possesses an infinite value that cannot be measured in material possessions. In the same verse, he asks a question that each of us must answer: "What will a man give in exchange for his soul?

Judas didn't think too much of Jesus' soul. He sold Him out for thirty pieces of silver.
I don't think we fully understand the value of our own soul.
We'll trade it for drugs....
We'll give it away for alcohol....
We'll hold it loosely and trade it for the next shiny bauble or trinket that the world dangles in front of us. All the while sliding down that slippery slope to eternity.

How many souls went over the edge today? How many souls entered eternity either not knowing of Jesus' gift of salvation, or simply rejecting Him completely in order to live life on their own terms? Too me, those are terrifying thoughts:

1.) That someone could go their entire life and never hear about the gift God has offered to everyone who believe.....

And

2.) That someone could actually hear the invitation to be saved and brought into relationship with God. Hear this and yet, at the same time, harden their hearts and reject this incredible gift.

The idea that someone draws their last breath outside the will of God is almost more than I can bear. Knowing that with that last breath, the choices they have made on this side of heaven have been sealed. Such is why I burn with a desire to make sure that I share the good news of Christ every time I stand to teach. That those present may not go and way, and say to God..."I've never heard about your invitation to receive new life".  

Paul writes in I Thessalonians 5:23 - Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. God's ability to "keep us" after we are saved is without question. When God does a work in us, it is a work that encompasses the entire package. Paul's prayer is that God of peace would first off....set us apart from the things of this world, and show us what He wants us to do that will be a part of fulfilling His plans, now....tomorrow....and on into eternity. Notice that in the listing of our 3-part nature, the soul stands between the spirit and the body.....So I guess the real question would have to be "Who is our soul listening to? Which voice is directing the body? His spirit, the Holy Spirit? Or our sinful nature?

Part of the Twelve Steps involves sharing the story of sobriety with other who are trapped in that old lifestyle of addiction. Take it one step beyond that. We are called to share our story of what God has done for us....not in an effort to impress people with how good we are....
But to let them know that all of us are dealing with eternal decisions that have ramifications long after the body had surrendered the spirit, and returned to dust. I want to find the value of every human being, no matter what the outside may look like.  I want to see people as Jesus sees us all.
Food for thought this morning....
God on you....
mbb