THE SPIRIT AND THE SOUL

"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Heb 4:12).

Devotion 1 of 15

INTRODUCTION

The Word of God is a rich and inexhaustible resource for the believer. It is the appointed means of producing faith (Rom 10:17). It also is the means of maintaining spiritual life (Matt 4:4). Joyfully, we acknowledge it is living and powerful!

Scriptural Triplets

There are a number of triplets in Scripture that indicates some significance to the number "three." Noah, for example, "begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth," from whom the nations race was generated (Gen 6:10). The Lord visited Abraham on the plains of Mamre as "three men" (Gen 18:2). Under the Old Covenant, Israel was told, "Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord GOD" (Ex 23:17).

John tells us that a consistent testimony of Christ's centrality is provided to us: "For there are THREE that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these THREE are one. And there are THREE that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these THREE agree as one" (1 John 5:7-8). Who can forget the repeated references to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matt 28:19; Gal 4:6; Matt 3:16-17; Rom 15:30; 1 Cor 6:11; Phil 3:3; 1 Pet 1:2; 1 John 4:2). In several places, God, Jesus, and the Spirit are mentioned together. When Stephen as stoned, He was filled with the Holy Spirit, saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:55). Peter related to Cornelius how God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and walked with him (Acts 10:43). Paul admonished the Romans for the Lord Jesus' sake and the Love of the Spirit that they strive with him in his prayers to God (Rom 15:30). Several similar expressions are found in Scripture (Rom 15:16; 1 Cor 6:11; 2 Cor 13:14).

Creation is summarized into three categories, "heaven, and earth, and sea" (Ex 20:11; Psa 146:6; Acts 4:24; 14:15; Rev 10:6). Jesus describes Himself as "Him which is, and which was, and which is to come" (Rev 1:4). Even terrestrial lights are divided into three sections, "sun . . . moon . . . and stars" (Deut 4:19; Isa 13:10; 1 Cor 15:41).

Not a major point

It is neither right nor wise to be enamored of numerology, and I will avoid that curious by-path with zeal. The remarkable consistency of this number, however, should not escape us. We will find it of particular interest as we look more closely at man, who himself is composed of three parts--spirit, soul, and body. As it is written, "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thess 5:23). The parts of man are mentioned in their priority, not their apparency: SPIRIT, soul, and body.

This series of devotions will focus on the unseen part of man: the spirit and soul. Our primary text reminds us that the Word of God is able is able to distinguish between the two: "piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit." While there are some very fundamental differences among believers concerning this aspect of our nature, it is to our advantage to expose our hearts and minds to what the Lord has revealed on the matter.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You through Jesus that I am fearfully and wonderfully made--the work of Your own hands. I also praise You that, in Your great salvation, you have provided for every aspect of my person.

-- TOMORROW: MAN HAS AN UNSEEN PART --