Knowing the value of my soul - a step on the journey

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If my soul is worth more than the whole world, the same value must also apply to every individual soul. It means that the soul is irreplaceable, and Jesus put it all in perspective:

What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?    

Matt 16:26

I do not know if the Norwegian artist Ole Paus was thinking about this verse when he several years ago said: ‘We have it all, but that's all we have’. Anyway it belongs in under the same label, and at least two prime-ministers have used the quote in their sermons to the nation. The theme is familiar and it appears frequently in old evangelical songs, like “I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold; I'd rather be His than have riches untold”

Jesus himself had to resist the temptation (1), and preserved his soul through worshiping and serving the Lord God. Materialism has a huge influence on us humans, and unfortunately a Christian confession does not always include the virtue of "godliness with contentment". When Paul wrote on this subject to Timothy, he warned even against those who 'believe godliness is a means of gain' (2).

With all my heart I want to quote:

'Manna' for today

 My soul is not for sale!

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(1) Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

Matthew 4:8-9

(2) see the reflection: “…and along comes the money issue”

Knowing the will of God - a step on the journey

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He thought he understood more than he understood. He wanted only the very best for his friend. He was ready to line up to fight for him. Didn’t the Master understand? I am referring to Peter and the event is well-known for Bible-readers.

When Peter in his confession had confirmed that the disciples knew who Jesus was; Jesus immediately began to teach that he had to go to Jerusalem to suffer persecution and die, and then to be raised from the dead on the third day. Peter’s reaction is spontaneous:

Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
Matt 16:22-23

I find these verses difficult, and I can only imagine with how difficult it must have been for Peter. But maybe he understood that Jesus was talking to Satan and not to him? Surely, it was Peter who had verbalised Satan's temptation for Jesus to choose a different path. 

However, this did not turn Peter into Satan, but manifested how typically human Peter was. The sin of the world is not all the consequences of sin, they are only symptoms; the sin is that people choose their own way rather than God's. Therefore, Peter was given a lesson in how important it is to seek the will of God before arriving at any solution based solely on the human lack of judgment.

‘Manna’ for today:

Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (1)

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(1) Prov 3:6

It is about fighting the misconceptions

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If I believe that God is holy and believe in the Trinity, it is impossible to question the holiness of Jesus. Therefore it is interesting to look at something of what we know about the man Jesus in light of the three misconceptions which are often linked with holiness:

1. Holy people are not tempted

Is a misconception because: We know that Jesus was tempted without falling (1).
Many pious people blame themselves because they experience temptations they thought they had overcome, and Satan is using this to produce the feeling of guilt and shortcoming. Jesus was tested in everything just as we are, but without sin (2). This truth gives me confidence.

2. All holy people have a peaceful temperament

Is a misconception because: Jesus could be angry – I even imagine that he could be furious (3). A sanctified temperament in one person does not need to look like a sanctified temperament in another person – what the two temperaments have in common is that they are lead by the will of God.

3. All holy people have an ascetic lifestyle

Is a misconception because: Jesus participated in the regular life, both on the ordinary and festive occasions, and he was called ‘…a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’(4) Jesus was in but not of the world. Likewise it is with his followers (5). I believe this "discovery" will be a great asset in holy living.

'Manna' for today:

The way of holiness can be hard to travel because of misconceptions.

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(1) Matt 4:1-11
(2) Hebr 4:15
(3) Re: The cleansing of the Temple e.g. Mark 11:15-19
(4) Luke 7:34 NKJV
(5) John 17:16