God created us in the image of the Trinity as a triune
being (Genesis 1:26). We are body, soul and spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23;
Hebrews 4:12). At birth, our spirit (pneuma) is dead in sin, which we inherited
from Adam and Eve.
Yet, at the moment of our salvation, God's Spirit quickens
our spirit; and it is no longer dead in sin, but alive in Christ (Ephesians
2:1-10, 3:3-4). When we pass from this life, our body goes to the grave, but
our soul and spirit go to our eternal reward.
Our soul (psuche) is the place where our thoughts,
emotions and choices are decided upon. It is our deep-seated personality,
conscience, appetites and passions; and it drives our body and hinders or
promotes our spirit (Psalm 31:10).
As we pass from this life, our body goes to the grave.
Our spirit and soul go to our eternal home of heaven or hell, depending on our
belief in Jesus Christ as our Savior (John 3:18; Luke 16:22-24; Romans 2:9;
Psalm 49:15).
At salvation, God also delivers our soul from corruption
(Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 38:17; Job 33:18). If we allow His influence in our life,
God is involved in every nuance of our moods to deliver us from evil (Acts
2:27; Hebrews 10:39; James 1:21).
When Jesus returns to earth to bring home His Bride, our
spirit, soul and immortal body are reunited for eternity (1 Corinthians
15:45-57; 2 Timothy 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; Matthew 16:26).
With an eternity in hell, our soul continues to experience
weary, hungry, bitter, grieving, loving, rejoicing, etc. emotions (Psalm 42:2;
107:9; Jeremiah 31:25; Leviticus 26:11; Job 30:25; Song of Solomon 1:7). Yet in
heaven, there is no more sickness or negative emotions (Revelation 21:4).
The Trinity created us in their image and calls us to
surrender our spirit, soul and body to Him (Job 33:4; Genesis 12:5, 17:14;
Ezekiel 18:4). With Christ residing within us as our true soulmate, we no
longer face the prospect of separation from God in this life and the next
(Haggai 2:13; Leviticus 21:11).
Prayer:
Father God, many people fail to realize that our eternal
state not only involves our spirit, but our soul as well. Our soul registers
all of the thoughts and emotions that it does during this life, including pain
and joy (Luke 16:22-24). We actually condemn our self to an eternity of torment
by our choice not to believe in Jesus as our Savior (John 3:18).
Help us to be wise and to respond to Your call when Your
Spirit draws us to step out of the devil's kingdom of darkness and into Your
Kingdom of light (Colossians 1:13). Remind us that You desire to rejoice over
us with singing and You do not want anyone to perish in sin (Zephaniah 3:17; John
3:16-17; 2 Peter 3:9).
Thought for the Day:
There is no true profit for us if we gain the whole
world, and yet to lose our own soul in the lake of fire for eternity - Matthew
16:26
