The Condition of Your Soul

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou may prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prosper” – III John 1:2
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The Apostle John is most known to us as one of the twelve disciples who walked and talked with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. He wrote this one-page letter to a man name Gaius, a faithful leader and servant in a local church, whom he had heard was walking in the truth.
 
Evidence of this was witnessed through his life and ministry work. He showed kindness to the poor, and was hospitable to traveling Christian teachers who faithfully preached and taught the Scriptures; always ready to accommodate them at any time. Such men and women are an inspiration and invaluable blessing to the body of Christ.
 
John therefore begins his letter to Gaius with a greeting wishing him good health and prosperity in all other areas of his life, as much as he had prospered in his spiritual life. Nothing could be more desirable for friends, brothers and sisters in Christ; than for them to be in good health, and to have a prosperous life journey. But more importantly, that they would have a healthy and prosperous soul.
 
What’s the condition of your soul? Is it healthy and flourishing, or is it weak, lifeless and withering away?
 
While it is important to you to pursue after the desires of your heart, you should be just as concern with the state of your soul. The soul needs strength; it needs nourishment to keep it alive and from withering away. The only resource that can provide the soul what it needs is the Bible – the Holy and Pure Word of God. It is spiritual food for our spiritual life. It has everything we need for sustenance. It is the meat, bread and water the soul cannot live without.
 
But, how will the soul of a man receive this food, if he has made pursuing after prosperity in his life a priority? What is more important? What should really be the priority in the day to day life of a believer? Jesus gives us an answer to help guide us in the right direction. He said…
 
“Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed” – John 6:27
 
Now, this doesn’t mean we should make no effort in obtaining the necessities of life, or in pursuing the desires of our heart; but rather, we should not make it a priority over the care of our soul; that it becomes the main purpose of our life.
 
This is what Paul the Apostle said to the Philippians:
 
“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” – Philippians 2:12
 
God wants each and every one of us to prosper in every area of our lives, and to be in good health; but He desires that our soul prosper even more, that we grow and mature in our spiritual life.
 
What are you willing to change to make taking care of your soul a priority?
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SUPPORTING SCRIPTURES
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• John 6:27
• Philippians 2:12

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Copyright © by Gale Wilcox. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture passages quoted are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.