Aug 24

It is not an easy thing to give up one's very soul; this is true, and that is the way it should be. The soul is who we are; it is our very being. It should not be treated lightly or lightly surrendered to anyone -- even to God. Jesus himself told us to consider carefully what it means to follow him. We should not make the supreme decision hastily. But, having considered all, then we should lay down all rights to our self and surrender our soul to God.

Consider the alternative. If we don't surrender to Jesus in life, that life will be taken away from us at death. Either way, we lose our soul. So the question is not, "Will I lose my soul?" but, "How will my soul be taken from me?" and, "When?" and, "Why?"

Refuse to give up your soul now and you will lose it later in death. Give it up now, to Jesus, and you will gain it forever. "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it" (Luke 9:25).

We are only tenants or caretakers of our souls. God is the true owner of all souls (Ezek. 18:4). Trying to keep our soul from God's claim upon it is stealing from God. We were bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:20). That price was the blood of Jesus, shed on the cross for us for that very reason: so that we could belong to God forever and not have to fear the loss of our soul to death.

Scripture for today: Matthew 25:14-30
Thought for today: My soul is only mine to manage for God; he owns it.
Prayer for today: Here, Lord, take what is rightfully yours and do with it as you please. I give you my soul as yours.

AUG 24