Fruit of the Spirit

For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth...Eph 5:9

Spring 2003                                                            Volume 4, Issue 2

Things That Were Written Aforetime...

Lessons in Old Testament Scripture...Romans 15:4

 

By Ted Parks

 

The Security System
For Your Soul

In our society of rising crime, security has become big business. Everything from door locks, to car alarms, to private security guards are employed to protect person and property. Unfortunately, not many people recognize the need for security in their spiritual lives. Proverbs 22:3 says, “A prudent man forseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on and are punished.” This passage demonstrates the wisdom in making secure provisions for one’s spiritual well being. In doing this there are two basic things that the prudent man must recognize: the need for security and the system for security.

The Need For Security

Just as one recognizes the value of the things that a security system will protect, a prudent man will recognize the value of his soul. Jesus showed the value of the soul in Mark 8:36-37, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Our souls are, without a doubt, worth any expense in order to protect them.

We must also recognize that our souls are in constant danger from sin. 1 John 3:4 tells us that sin is the transgression of the law; and we also know that all have sinned (Rom 3:23). Knowing these things, the danger becomes quite evident when we read in 2Thessalonians 1:7-9 that the Lord will come “...taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Additionally, the Bible tells us in 1Peter 4:18, “If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear?” The need for soul security cannot be overstated.

The System For Security

It is amazing the way people will go to great extremes to protect their money, home, or car, but when it comes to providing security for their souls, they want the cheapest, easiest, and most convenient system that they can find. Since the soul is much more valuable than everything else, a prudent man will exhaust every resource in order to protect it. Jesus demonstrates this idea in Matt 13:44 saying, “Again the kingdom of Heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof

goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.”

The only system that can offer security of the soul is the Gospel. Paul called the Gospel “the power of God unto Salvation” (Romans 1:16). It is the only security system paid for by the blood of Christ and the only system authorized by the Word of Christ. No system or method has the power to protect or save the soul except the Gospel (Acts 4:12).

Even when the proper system, the Gospel, is recognized one will still lose their soul if the Gospel is not applied and obeyed. Just as a security alarm is useless if it is not turned on, the Gospel must be put into practice. Someone who would presume to call themselves a

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