Tag Archives: value

I have a soul

 

Phil Wickham ~ Song In My Soul ft. Hollyn

 

One of the experiences that happens when I am in a place of solitude and silence is I discover I have a soul. That is a big deal, especially the first time as I am not too sure I knew I had one. My life is based on a sense of unity when I go through these moments.

For what can a man give in return for his soul?  – Mark 8:37 ESV

What does it mean for my soul to be lost? I think it means that my life does not have a centre that organizes my activities. I cannot have that centre until my soul returns to God and God restores my soul.

Nothing in this world is worth exchanging my life for. That is where my life is. Why would I want to make anything in this world a priority for me? As a follower of Jesus, a disciple, faithfulness to Him and living for Him does not only richly reward my life now but for all eternity. What would lead a person to give this up?

I do not think that Jesus meant to threaten anyone with the loss of eternal life and the recipient of going into hell for all eternity. I think Jesus is revealing the wisdom of making a total commitment to Him. Following Him may begin with a rather simple commitment, but Jesus makes it clear that it ultimately leads to deeper commitments, even absolute surrender. I know it is my natural tendency to preserve my life, yet I cannot come away from Jesus’ words without knowing that I am committed to giving up my right in this physical world in light of the expectation of gaining a rich reward to cherish for all eternity.

There is a cost to following Jesus and Jesus reminds me of the value of my soul. It is the most valuable possession I have and there is nothing in this world worth the value of my soul.

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Silver

 

Not sure I like the context of how silver is made, and if Malachi is right, than God has become my refiner and my purifier if I ever have a chance to become silver.

He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord. – Malachi 3:3 ESV

As a discipler, I have come to an awareness that my life matters to those I disciple. I can either foster or repress the higher/deeper life of those I come alongside.  In fact, those I disciple become the gauge of spiritual vigour or spiritual decay in my own life.

Whence does the Church derive her value? From her relation to Christ. The first Church was gathered in loving fealty to Christ. The disciples were His representatives. The bodily presence of their Master and Lord was visible through them. The world can never be converted by the world; Christ has given that great work to His Church. All the fitness of His disciples for their grave and responsible duties is derived from Him. 

Job reminds me how much my walk with God matters to my children. Even as they grow older and have families of their own, he still prayed for each of them, especially as they went through different experiences. Job understood human depravity and he understood his children’s potential to sin and so he was found to intercede before God for them.

His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.  And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed[a] God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually. – Job 1:4-5 ESV

 

I pray that I do not take any shortcuts in my refining process so that my silver is pure and that others may be blessed for what God has done in my life.

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