The Value of a Soul

I can’t help myself but to choose this topic to write about.  It is something that is on my mind every day that God chooses to allow me to be part of what He is doing.  Do we truly realize the value of a soul?  We know the scripture, Mark 8:36-38, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”  How often do we stop there and not read on.  “Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?  Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” 

This word ashamed is of interest to me.  I for one do not want to be ashamed when He standing in judgment.  Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words has this to say about the word ashamed in this portion of scripture: 

• ASHAMED (TO BE), SHAMETo have a feeling of fear or shame which prevents a person from doing a thing(from Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright (c)1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers) 

I am convinced that we as children of God are not lacking in our understanding of the value of a soul from the point of view of eternity and all that stands with that, yet we haven’t personally won someone to the Lord.  Could it be that what we don’t understand is that we are proving to be “ashamed”?    We could easily replace this word with the word “afraid”.  An American preacher, Jeff Arnold, once said, “Fear is faith in the devil.”  What a powerful thought provoking statement. 

Fear is an amazing creature.  Fear is something that we don’t want to admit we have hidden in our heart, in our home, in our life, in our marriage.  It’s often like the pit pull dog that bites down and won’t let go.  We don’t teach a Bible Study, why?  Not because of lack of time, rather more often it is because of fear.  We don’t pay our tithes, why?  Fear!  We are afraid that the bills won’t be paid or that our savings plan won’t go as scheduled.  We don’t admit when we are wrong.  Why? Try these for answers: fear, guilt, shame, doubt! 

The apostle said in Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” 
That which you fear is exactly what you will serve.   

Christ is looking for the unashamed in New Haven.  Are you one of them?  Does your life show the world that you understand the value of a soul, starting with yours first?  It was when God was quiet (Moses had not returned) that the people made their selves a golden calf.  It is in the desert when God is not displaying His power that our true nature comes out!  The children of Israel made an idol out of God’s blessings!  Do we do the same?  (“Bless me and I’ll serve You!”)  God seeks for men like Joshua, who wanted to be as close to God’s presence as possible.  He stayed by the mountain for forty days while Moses was with God.  God’s question to you:Isaiah 57:11  And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?  NKJV  “Is it not because I have held My peace from of old that you do not fear Me?”  You will serve who you fear!  Does God have to continually impress you so you will fear Him, or can you simply return the love He gives to you?  Do you value His desires above your own?  

Let the words of Joshua stay with you as you prayerfully consider your understanding of what is important to God.  “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Josh 24:15