Not all of us are good at math, but most of us can manage the simple calculations of life. Adding up the pennies in our pocket, for instance, or subtracting the dollars from our wallets when it’s time to pay the bills. But it seems most people miss one truly simple calculation – one equals two.
That’s right….one equals two! It’s very simple math, really. Since I grew up in the era of “show your work,” pencil-on-paper mathematics, I’ll write out the equation for you: 1H=2P. Still don’t get it? It’s easy: one human (1H) has (=) two parts (2P). Get it now?
Assuming you are alone, when you look in the mirror you see only one being, right? But deep inside that being lives a soul. Everyone has one. And while they are joined as one right now, eventually the body will cease to exist and the soul will live on. The Bible says: “And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” (Ecclesiastes 12:7)
And Jesus clearly drew the distinction between body and soul in this statement from Matthew 10:28, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” This is a very interesting distinction, too, in that Jesus draws a comparison between man, who only has the ability to destroy the body, and God, who has the unique ability of being able to destroy both.
And the Apostle Paul, points out that the soul is either in the body as we are today, or with the Lord: “We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:6-8)
And our earthly striving for success is profitless if it destroys our soul: “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36) Think about that for a moment. What are you trying to achieve right now? Success at work? Money for retirement? Fame and notoriety? Is what you are seeking worth your soul?
Our soul is eternal. The body is not. Many people these days spend a lot of time focusing on their body. It almost sounds sinful when we learn of someone who isn’t visiting the gym regularly or running a marathon or otherwise pursuing fitness with some amount of passion. And it’s probably safe to assume people who work out on a regular basis are more fit than ever. But there’s a dirty little secret about people who are faithful in fitness: they’re all going to die anyway.
But when we “die” what is really happening is our soul is being liberated from our body. And our body, no matter what shape it was in just moments earlier, will instantly begin to decay. But our soul lives on and it is there that we will face our eternal reward. It is there we will give an account for every word, thought, and deed. For it is appointed to man to die once and after that comes judgment (ref. Hebrews 9:27).
It is there, when we are free from our mortal body and standing naked before our glorious Creator giving account for ourselves, that we will truly realize the value of our soul. But God already knows the value of your soul: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17)
So while many seem to believe God only wants to restrict, confine, or condemn; we see He really sets us free. For the person who accepts the love of Christ is free indeed: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2)
Have you recognized the true value and eternal nature of your soul? Do you desire to be truly free at last? Why not make today the day you ask God for His free gift of life? There’s no magic formula for this….just talk to Him….honestly.
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