The spirit of man differentiates him from animals, because it is God-conscious and communicates with God, which animals cannot do. (Job 32:88But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. (Job 32:8); Prov. 20:2727The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly. (Proverbs 20:27).) Man, therefore, is responsible to God for his whole life. "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth." Eccl. 12:11Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; (Ecclesiastes 12:1). When a man dies, the body shall "return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." Eccl. 12:77Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. (Ecclesiastes 12:7). "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." 2 Cor. 5:1010For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10).
God has created all men and He has redeemed some. We, as believers in Christ, are not only to recognize God's claim on us as our Creator, but to recognize His claim on us as our Redeemer too. He has a double claim on us. Therefore we do well to seek God's direction in each decision of our life, and ask ourselves if it pleases and honors God, or does it please self? If our will is at work, God cannot bless our actions and, though it may seem to work at the time, we will definitely be the losers in the end. "He cannot deny Himself." 2 Tim. 2:1313If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. (2 Timothy 2:13).
The next consideration is the second part of man, the soul. It is the seat of affections, desires, emotions and the will (in man). God is a God of variety and makes no duplicates. Each of us has a personality that is unique and has a special place in God's creation. We cannot all be farmers, or salesmen, or teachers, or doctors. We cannot all live in the same place nor can we all marry the same person. We all have different tastes and abilities, and God does not expect us to do something we do not have the ability to do, but to use our ability for Him in whatever capacity we are able.
The Lord Jesus Christ, of course, is our primary example. "Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps." 1 Peter 2:2121For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: (1 Peter 2:21). He had feelings and emotions too: He wept, He rejoiced, He hungered, and He was thirsty, to name a few. See Matt. 11:2929Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Matthew 11:29) (meekness and lowliness), Matthew 26:3838Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. (Matthew 26:38) (sorrowful), and John 12:2727Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. (John 12:27) (troubled). His whole life was to the glory of God, and God declared Him as His own Son in whom He was well pleased.
The body is the vehicle that carries the spirit and the soul. The present body is strictly for the earth and is subject to decay as referred to earlier. It gives expression to what is in the heart (Mark 7:21-2321For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. (Mark 7:21‑23)). The Spirit of God in Rom. 12:11I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1) beseeches us by the mercies of God to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.
In 2 Cor. 5 we read that "we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
In summary, the spirit always is to have the first consideration, because our ultimate end is to stand before Him. The soul ought to follow in conformity, not to please ourselves, but to please Him who died for us and rose again. This, of course, will be displayed in the body in a happy countenance, a godly walk, selflessness, a love for all saints, and a concern for the lost.
These are things for which we are to aim. May "the very God of peace sanctify you [us] wholly; and I pray God your [our] whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thess. 5:2323And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
R. Klassen