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Published: 05 February 2016

It’s quite a responsibility caring for the soul.  God made us in His image; responsible, self-aware and with capacity to know Him.  If our bodies languish it may be the fault of our food or our water supply.  If our lungs turn to mush, it may be the fault of things in our environment that are out of our control.  However, if our souls dry up and harden, it is our own fault.  We have everything we need for our inner life to flourish.  J.C. Ryle wrote, “Man has a mighty ability to ruin his own soul.”  In John 5:40, Jesus said, “But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.”  In other words, our choices with regard to our inner life with God have a direct impact on our life.  Our culture is “body crazy.”  People work out, lift weights, run, tan and care for their exterior at times at great expense.  I think we often forget that we are also the keepers of our soul.  To neglect the body is not wise but to neglect the soul is the path to destruction.  I spent some time this week with a man who is afflicted with cancer.  As I left their home, I was thinking about how this man and his wife reminded me of the reality of Paul’s words, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” Because they regularly care for their souls, they are conduits of living water in spite of their circumstances.  The trouble with soul care is, it is very easy to procrastinate.  The effects of neglect take a long time to show up.  There always seems to be something else more pressing, more demanding, more important or more fun.  Giving ourselves to the hard work of soul care is worth it though.  We will all face trials, difficulties and unexpected bumps in the road of life.  When the body gives out, what will we have left?  What have we become on the inside?  What have we done with the immense inner land that God has given us to “cultivate?”  Take heed to thy soul.

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Published: 29 January 2016

We’ve all heard somebody say, “It’s not about religion, it’s about relationship.”  I’ve even heard myself say it!  The problem is, religion often gets a bad reputation because of bad characters.  According to Webster, “…religion is belief in divine power to be obeyed and worshiped as creator and ruler of the universe…”  The apostle James wrote, “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:26, 27)  So, there is false religion, vain religion and true religion.  There are also users of religion.  Centuries ago people learned that “religious speak” was a way to manipulate and even deceive other people.  The Pharisees used religion to get people to think well of them and for financial gain.  This “use of religion” grieved our Lord and brought severe denunciation as we will see in Matthew 23.  It might be better if we said it this way, “The only way to have true religion is through relationship.”  It is when we abide in Christ and He abides in us that we can actually represent Him as we ought.  Relationship with God is developed like any other relationship; it requires time, intentionality, trust, commitment, loyalty and shared priorities.  Relationship with God is made possible through Jesus Christ but it requires faith and practice on our part to enjoy all the benefits.  Let’s be people who are intimate and personal with Jesus Christ.  Let’s be people who are serious about true religion.  Let’s remember that true religion grows out of true relationship and give ourselves heart and soul to both.