“Whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” Mark 8:35-36
In just two verses, Jesus confronts us with four profound realities about our souls.
Your soul is of great value
What shall a man give in exchange for his own soul? We are going to consider together why your soul is of such great value.
Your soul can be lost
What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul? We are going to see how a soul can be lost. What is the path by which it can happen?
Your soul can be saved
God willing, this salvation either has or will come to you.
Your soul needs to be cared for, guarded, and nourished
We will consider together how to do this.
When children are very young, you can speak to them about their soul like this: “You have a soul. Your soul is inside of you. You cannot see it, but it lasts forever.” But theologian J. I. Packer described the soul as “your conscious personal self,” the “I” that knows itself as “me.”
Your soul is the identity that makes you who you really are. It is the seat of your memory, your feelings, your imagination, your convictions, your desires, and your affections.
You take care of your body with food and clothing. How much thought do you give to your soul?
