Some people confuse the soul
and the spirit of mankind. Many think they are different words for the same
entity. Yet, the Bible is clear that they are separate (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
God originally created humans
in His image and likeness as a tripartite being with a body, soul and spirit
(Genesis 1:26-27, 2:7). We are set apart from other created
beings because of this peculiarity (1 Peter 2:9-10).
Animals have a body and soul
- a mind, will and emotions; but they do not have a spirit. Botanists say that
plants have emotions and enjoy it when we to talk to them.
Yet, the spirit of man is our
link with Almighty God. Due to Adam's sin, our spirit is dead in sin when we
are born (Ephesians 2:1). God draws us throughout our lifetime to come to Him
for the rebirth of our spirit (John 3:1-21).
Yet, God also gives us a free
will (2 Timothy 2:26). It is our choice to believe and to accept His free gift
of salvation, or to condemn our self through our unbelief for eternity (John
3:16-18; Romans 3:23, 6:23).
Our body lives one day at a
time, dying a little bit more each day. Our soul, made up of our will,
feelings, thoughts, intellect and conscience, lives beyond the life span of our
body.
The eternal destination of
our immortal body, soul and spirit is determined by our choice to receive or
reject Christ while we live on this earth (John 3:16-18).
Prayer:
Father God, help us by Your
mercies to present our body to You as a living, holy and acceptable sacrifice (1
Corinthians 6:20). This is our spiritual service of worship to You. Remind us
not to be conformed to his sinful world, with its dreams, goals and practices,
but to allow Your Holy Spirit to renew our mind to live in Your will for our
individual life (Romans 12:1-2).
We do not need to guess what
Your will is, nor strain and stress about the issues of this life in which we
get so bogged down every day. Your will includes so much more than obeying Your
Word. It also includes fulfilling the purpose for which You created us
(Ephesians 2:10). We simply enter into Your rest and walk in Your Spirit each moment
of every day.
Thought for the Day:
Our spirit and soul - our
thoughts, choices and feelings - are considered our heart, and God calls us to
watch over our heart diligently, because out of it flows the springs of life.
- Proverbs 4:23
Many thanks to Matt Milligan for the use of his photo.
Many thanks to Matt Milligan for the use of his photo.
