Treasures of Truth

20 Salvation of the Soul

You didn’t come this far to stop...

Possessing the Land

It is important to note the recurring theme in scripture

that we are, as Christians, in a building process.

Daily,

and moment-by-moment,

we make decisions

that affect our lives for eternity.

As believers, we have a choice of building materials.

However,

we are warned what materials

will ultimately last and which ones will be burned…

But let each one take heed

how he builds on it.

For no other foundation

can anyone lay

than that which is laid,

which is Jesus Christ.

Now if anyone builds on this foundation

with gold, silver, precious stones,

wood, hay, straw,

each one's work will become clear;

for the Day will declare it,

because it will be revealed by fire;

and the fire will test each one's work,

of what sort it is. I Corinthians 3:10b-13

He who loves his

life (Greek: soul) loses it… John 12:25a

… and he who hates his life (Greek: soul)

in this world shall keep it to life eternal. John 12:25b

Wood, Hay, Straw BURNED • I Corinthians 3:12b • I Corinthians 3:15

Gold, Silver, Precious Stones REMAIN • I Corinthians 3:12a • I Corinthians 3:14

“Whatever portion of the soul

(the life of man – that part of us that has functioned

within this time and space continuum)

which has been saved

also returns with the spirit of God.

I think it is significant to note that in the scriptures,

the spirit is regenerated but the soul is being saved.

There is only one place to my recollection

in which scripture ever mentions the spirit being saved.

It is in the soul, that life we are living now,

that needs to be saved.

That part of it which is lived in the power of the Spirit of God, functioning in relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ

as God intended man to live, is saved.

Our souls are thus being saved

as we live day-by-day

in relationship to the Son of God.

That “saved” soul is what we have left after this life,

and only that.

All else is wood, hay and stubble

to disappear in the judging flame of God.”

Understanding Man by Ray Stedman