The soul has various facets: Wisdom, Knowledge, Memory, Contemplation, Conscience, Will, Emotion, and Intellect. The soul is important for several reasons.
The soul is valuable because it is distinct from the body.
“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” (Eccl. 12:7)
“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matt. 10:28)
A good parent cares more for the child than they do for their clothes. So we should care more for our souls than anything else. Many people will jog, exercise, take minerals, and go to all the right doctors, but they neglect their soul. They do not feed their soul, or give their soul any spiritual vitamins through the Word. They do not obey God when told to love their neighbor. But they take care of the body.
The soul is valuable because it is eternal.
You cannot be unborn. You are born to live forever. You can change the direction of your life, but that is all. Jesus said there are two directions in life.
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Mat. 7:13-14)
There are people who believe they can be saved by their Works. That is the broad road on which so many walk. In the Day of Judgment the people on the Broad Road will offer to God their good works as a basis of salvation. Their good works will be rejected.
There is another road marked Faith. Those on the narrow road can be heard singing:
“Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidst me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.”
This is the road to Life.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9)
The Devil, like a roaring lion, is seeking to devour the soul. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (1 Peter 5:8)
The Devil is trying to build up his kingdom. He does this by taking away the good seed that is sown. “When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.” (Matt. 13:19)
The soul is valuable because of the concern God has for it.
God has given His Son to save the soul. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
God has delayed His judgment. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
God has provided a propitiation for sinners. “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:10) Repent of sin and receive Christ as Saviour.
The soul is valuable because of the nature of its great loss.
The soul is of infinite value which means that if the soul is lost, that loss is an infinite loss. “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-37) When Alexander the Great died he left all of his power and glory. When the oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller died as one of the richest men in the world, someone asked, “How much did he leave?” The answer is, “He left it all.” When people die without Christ, when people die and leave everything behind, they also lose in the life to come for they are shut out from heaven and are banished to hell.
Hell is called a horrible tempest. “Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.” (Psalm 11:6)
Hell is a place of sorrows. “The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.” (Psalm 18:5)
Hell is a place of weeping. “There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.” (Luke 13:28)
Hell is a place of outer darkness. “Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matt. 22:13)
Hell is a place of separation from God. Sin separates the soul from God, and that separation continues after death.
The soul is valuable because of the price paid for redemption.
“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” (1 Peter 1:18-19)
If you are losing your soul there is something you can do by the power and grace of God. First you can repent. You can change your mind about Jesus Christ. Second, you can confess your sin to God. Third, you can call upon the name of the Lord. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Rom. 10:13) Say yes to Jesus Christ and you will be His, forever!
