Down through the centuries opinions have differed as to the best way to nurture, care for and protect the human soul. One tragic sign of the times in which we live is that the care and feeding of a healthy human soul is neglected or ignored across broad swathes of the populace, all around the globe.  Some would not even agree that a human being has a soul.  Others argue over when a new human life acquires its soul.

Still others, intent on pushing moral, ethical and legal boundaries further and further out, are raising new questions.  Experimentation into cloning human beings, for example, is ongoing.  Would the clone have a soul?  Would it be human without one?  If it did have a soul, would it be identical to the original or would it be unique?  What about so-called “trans-humanism,” which seeks to blur the line between man and machine? Would a cyborg have a soul?  Would it differ in important ways?  Then, there’s “artificial intelligence.”   If computers could “think,” with or without becoming self-aware, would they have the functional equivalent of a soul? Would they need one? What is the soul, anyway?

The human soul is the defining attribute of what it is to be human.  It’s not the physical, it’s the metaphysical—not the anatomy, but the spirit that inhabits it—the transcendent essence of a man, woman or child, that which joins us to the natural world and separates us from it, that which is common to us all and yet individuates us from one another.  It is the heart of our being while we live out our mortal lives and the part of us that survives the death of the body.  It is the seat of morality and conscience, of thought and reason, of emotion, imagination, aspiration and will.

The soul is so vital, that its absence from the body at death is instantly recognizable.  The Bible leaves no doubt about the relative importance of soul and body.  Jesus Christ had this to say: “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”  (John 6:63)

The Bible says that each and every human soul (including yours) is specially created and infinitely precious to God.  That’s why He sent His only begotten Son to die for our sins, that we might be forgiven, call upon His name and live eternally with Him.

Jesus expressed the supreme worth and inestimable value of the human soul this way (Matthew 16:24-27):

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”

[Okay, I think I am following this.  He is pointing out that some live worldly lives of shortsighted self-gratification, with no concern for the soul.  And He’s drawing a contrast between them and those who live for God and for others, with their eyes fixed on eternity.  So far, so good.]

“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

[A GREAT question.  Jesus says in effect, ‘Don’t be one of those fools who lives only for today and acts as if God doesn’t exist.  Whatever you may experience or accumulate on earth, just remember: death will slap it out of your hand and stop your heart one day. Even if you manage to grab everything in this world that your sinful nature desires, you can’t hang onto any of it.  Then what will become of you? Think it over carefully and choose wisely.  If you sell yourself out like that, what will you have to show for it, what will be left for you on the day of judgment?’]

“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”

What does THAT mean?  I get that Jesus is coming back with His angels in blinding bright light that will delight His own and terrify His enemies.  Then, He’s going to render His judgment on each person’s works and reward them accordingly.  But let’s not go too fast, here.

It’s certain that the rewards given to Christ’s own, the ones who denied themselves, shouldered their crosses and followed after Him in life, will be wonderful.  I mean, when the Son of God rewards you, it’s got to be pretty amazing, right?

What about the others, those who didn’t do that and know that they didn’t. “Reward” has to mean something different, in their case.  It must be said sarcastically.  It’s not a reward in the ordinary sense at all—more like “payback” (or “payday”). Jesus paid for our sins in full…those who reject Him and His gift, will have to pay for their own in full.

One small problem: they can’t.  They’re spiritually empty. Bankrupt.  They can’t buy or bargain their way out of the punishment they’ve earned—the fate they gambled on and lost, the destiny on which they themselves insisted.

If you are getting uncomfortable because this portrait is beginning to bare a striking resemblance to your own reflection in the mirror, you may be in the mood for a little deflection. Many in your position send up howls of protest right about now.  “But I didn’t know all the rules!  There are way too many requirements!  Who can keep them all straight?  God’s demands are impossible for anyone to meet!”

Congratulations.  You have just stumbled across the reason Jesus Christ came, and why it was necessary for Him to be born and to die in your place.  He is the only one who was both true God and true man.  He could do the impossible for you—and did.

“But…but…but it’s still not fair!” you stammer.  “How was I supposed to know which ‘works’ I ought to have done?”  This argument sounds awfully familiar.  Christ has heard it before.

“Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”  (John 6:28-29)

“It can’t be that easy!” you shout.  “Believe in Jesus, just trust in Him and throw yourself on the mercy of the court? That’s it?  That’s the plan?  If that’s true then anyone who has faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior could become a Christian, regardless of what they’ve done!”

“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.  But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”  (Titus 3:3-7)

“But isn’t being a Christian really just a matter of doing your best to follow long lists of do’s & don’ts?”  No.  Although there are many who firmly believe that, it isn’t what God’s word says.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6) Come to Him.

To those who have been walking with Jesus for some time, greetings!  Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

For those who don’t (yet) know Jesus, turn to Him now.  If you are on some other path, turn back.  Turn away from your old life and turn to Him.  He loves you with a depth, tenderness and intensity that can’t be imagined, much less described.  But it can be experienced.  Let Jesus in.  He longs for relationship with you.  He yearns to heal and restore your soul and make you whole again, as you were meant to be.

Meanwhile, please know that I am praying for you.  If you give your life to Christ, we will meet one day soon.  Until that day…

HOW TO BE SAVED:

• Admit to God that you are a sinner (that you have not kept His moral law to perfection; in your thoughts, words and actions you have done what His law forbids and have failed to do what His love demands).  This is seeing yourself from God’s point of view and agreeing that He is right about you.  Be as specific as you can.
• Believe in your heart that Jesus died for your sins and that God raised Him from the dead.
• Sincerely repent (turn away) from your sins, asking God to forgive you and to use His power to help you resist temptation, no matter how strong the pull of sin may be, at first.
• Acknowledge Jesus as the Lord of your life.  Invite Him to move into your heart and take up residence there, so that He can change you from the inside out.
• Trust His promise to save you and give you a new spiritual birth and a new nature (thoughts, desires, priorities, hopes, dreams and character).

SOME KEY TRUTHS:

• “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
• “As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10)
• “For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  (Romans 6:23)
• “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
• “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  (Romans 5:8)
• “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”  (I Corinthians 15:3,4)
• “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12)
• “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him…”  (Revelation 3:20)
• “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”  (Romans 10:13)
• “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”  (Romans 10:9)
• “Verily, verily, I say unto you; He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life; and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”  (John 5:24)
• “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing, ye might have life through his name.”  (John 20:31) 
• “These things I have written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”  (I John 5:13)