We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved. (Hebrews 10:39)

…Humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. (James 1:21)

These two scriptures are written to believers, referencing the future salvation of their souls. As Christians, we often consider the salvation of our souls as accomplished, past tense. This is not true from a Biblical point of view. When we are born again, our spirits are saved and we are made new. (Galatians 2:20) The salvation of our souls, however, is a process in which we take an active role; it is a war we fight day to day. There is stuff we have to do in order to be saved at the soul level.

The soul is often defined as the emotions, mind, and will. Our minds, emotions, and desires are not automatically saved and perfectly whole when we first make Jesus the Lord of our lives. Philippians 2:12 says, “Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.” In essence, Paul is saying we are saved by grace, but the working out of our salvation takes effort. Dallas Willard used to say something like, “Grace is not earned, but it is not opposed to effort.” We don’t make Jesus the Lord of our lives and then live our lives like we always did before that decision was made. So let’s get to work! Let’s get our minds saved and our emotions under the control of our Great God and Wonderful Savior!

Father,

I have allowed my mind, emotions, and will to be guided by my own whims. Today I turn from that, and put my soul under the directorship of Your great love and unfathomable mercy. I take each thought captive as I become aware of it (Lord, made me mindful!), and I will fix each thought according to your criteria: things that are lovely, true, and pleasing to you. I take hold of my rogue emotions, flitting and flying wherever they currently please, and I tell myself to grow up in Jesus name! I tell my soul and will to praise God! Be grateful, oh my soul! Praise God, oh my soul! Quit your whining, oh my soul! Remember all God has done for you and shout your praise! Now go and follow God, my soul, with all your heart and see where this exciting adventure will take us!

Amen!

 

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