Sinking
Soul vs. Rhythm of Grace
Soul is the centre of the human
experience. This is where one thinks, feels, and makes decision. And it is also
that part of one that screams the loudest!
There is something inside of us, that no
one can touch, something very sacred, and something very eternal. Deep down one
can feel it, and we know it is there. In the quiet moments when the noise
fades, and when the world is quiet, we can sense it. It is like a whisper, and
one can feel that we are called for something greater.
It
is not just emotions, or thoughts, but is something deeper than that. It is
more than pain, more than joy and it is the core of us. Is it the soul? OR Is
it the spirit? OR both of it? OR two
different parts of who we are! Many of us, do not even think much about this. But Bible does
not speak casually about the soul and the spirit.
The Bible talks much about the soul and
the spirit. It gives much importance. This is because the difference is between
knowing about God, versus knowing Him and walking with God. Knowing about God, versus
Knowing Him and really walking with Him are two separate things!
If
any one of us should exalt ourselves thinking that we know about God’s word
pretty well, should remind ourselves about the enemy of our souls. Satan, the deceiver,
the manipulator knows the word of God, more than all of us. But, Jesus said, HE
has no part with the enemy of the souls of humanity. He has bruised his head at
the foot of the Cross. The foretold prophecy in the Old Testament fulfilled
through Christ at the Cross.
And I will put enmity
between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise
thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel; Gen. 3:15.
“The Lord God did
not ask the serpent anything, for he knew that he was a liar, but he at once
pronounced sentence upon him.” (Spurgeon)
‘Upon thy
belly shalt thou go.’ If guilty man begins to plot for his own advantage,
scheme for his own glory, and aim at perverting the truth, you will notice that
he never takes a bold, open, manly stand, but he dodges, he conceals, he twists
and shifts: ‘Upon thy belly shalt thou go.’ Sin is a mean and despicable thing.
The greatest potentate of evil was here doomed to cringe and crawl, and his
seed have never forgotten their father’s posture.” (Spurgeon)
And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son
in his own likeness, and after his image; and called his name Seth: Gen. 5: 3.
Please note that Seth was born in the image and likeness of Adam and so
is all of us; except Jesus Christ.
Souls of humanity are very precious in
the sight of God. Satan was, in his own thinking, majestic and triumphant over
Jesus on the cross, but he failed. In attacking Jesus, Satan made his own doom
certain. Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, did that for you
and for me to rescue us. Rescue our souls, from the bondage of sin and death. Marvelous Rescue
plan of God our Father in heaven, through His obedient Son.
Strong's Greek: 5590. ψυχή (psuché) -- Soul, life, self, inner being
5590 psyxḗ (from psyxō, "to breathe, blow" which is the root of the English words "psyche," "psychology") – soul (psyche); a person's …[i]
Strong's Hebrew: 5315. נָ֫פֶשׁ (nephesh) -- Soul, life, self, person ...
Strong's
Hebrew: 5315. נָ֫פֶשׁ (nephesh) -- Soul, life, self, person, heart, creature,
mind, living being.[ii]
Why art thou cast down, O
my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall
yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God; Psa. 42: 11.
Psalmist,
King David, had this important dialogue with his soul, once upon a time, and he
wrote this when his soul was in turmoil, and troubled.
“It is an
important dialogue between the two aspects of the believer, who is at once a
man of convictions and a creature of change.” (Kidner)
The soul can feel crushed, overwhelmed, filled with joy, and fall into
despair. The psalmist is making a reference to this; and he is speaking to
himself. This is how personal and present our soul is. It has its own voice,
turmoil, and own desires. It looks and feels like that God has allowed this to make
us walk in darkness.
“This seems to be
the hardest part of our lot, that God should lead us into darkness: ‘He hath
led me, and brought me into darkness.’ Yet dear brethren, that is, on the other
hand, the sweetest thing about our trial; because, if the darkness be in the place
where God has led us, it is best for us to be in the dark.” (Spurgeon)
Who is he that saith, and it cometh to
pass, when the Lord commandeth it not? Out
of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good? Lam. 3: 37-38.
In life’s seasons of calamity, it becomes
harder to remember that God is sovereign over all of our affairs when we are
living in this part of eternity. When we begin to understand that God is sovereign,
and He allows such difficulties, as well as joy, that should humble us; and
gives us hope.
When
we complain about God’s sovereignty, that indeed becomes profitless. It is
wiser and profitable that we remember the rhythm of His mercies and grace shown
to us on Calvary. When we are alive, we should be grateful that we still have
life, and recognize that it is another
opportunity to get closer to God while we are still breathing!
“If he be
tempted to murmur, let him remember that he is yet alive, and that is more than
his part cometh to, since it is the Lord’s mercy that he is not consumed, and
sent packing hence to hell. Life in any sense is a sweet mercy, even that which
to the afflicted may seem a lifeless life.” (Trapp)
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? Matt. 16:26.
Jesus Himself had the opportunity to
gain all the world by worshipping Satan; tempted and tried; (Ref. Lk.4: 5-8).
He found life and victory in obedience to God’s will instead. Giving our lives to Jesus all the way, and
living in obedience to His word, does not take away life, it adds to it.
This is finding abundant life in the narrow path, where the rhythm of grace
flows.
“A mother listens for the breathing of her
babe in the dark. It will tell her so much. The soft, measured breath, or the
laboring, gasping breath. God never hides His ear from our breathing; or from
those in- articulate cries, which express, as words could not do, the deep
anguish and yearning of the heart. If you cannot speak, cry, sob, or groan,
then be still. God can interpret all.” (Meyer)
We realize from the words of
Jesus, the price of a soul, is priceless and eternal. This soul carries part of
our desires, and is the inner core; and part of us that carries our story. Our
personality, our memories, our nature and our story are hidden within. It is
that part of us that live for ever. Living depends on either in union with God
or totally separated from Him.
The truth of the matter is: Our soul as powerful as it is, it is never meant to be in control. That is the reason, many of us get stuck within ourselves. We feel, and think about these emotions of what we feel, and we make decisions based on fear. What we feel like pain or pride, we try to protect ourselves, with our capacity, trusting on our own understanding. But, the soul without the spirit is totally lost.
“As Satan keeps special watch here, so must we keep special watch as well. If the citadel is taken, the whole town must surrender. If the heart is captured, the whole man—affections, desires, motives, pursuits—will be handed over.” (Bridges)
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life; Jn. 6: 63.
The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly; Prov. 20: 27.
The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD: There are mysteries and truths of the inner man (the spirit of a man) that only the lamp of the LORD can expose. In this respect, we can think of God’s word as a lamp and a light. When our soul is lead by His Spirit, it is quickened, and we receive life in Him abundantly. This becomes the Rhythm of Grace flowing for our sinking souls; and becomes part of us, as we allow God’s spirit to lead our soul!
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path; Psa. 119: 105.
But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding; Job 32:8.
“It is ‘the wellspring of life’ in that the capacity to live with joy and vigor ultimately comes from within and not from circumstances. The corrupt heart draws one down to the grave, but Wisdom protects the heart from that corruption.” (Garrett)
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly;
and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto
the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; 1 Thess. 5: 23.
