Together - Daily DevotionalSample

Parallels of Truth

Reading: 1 Thess.5:6-23

Key Verse: “may your spirit and soul and body be kept strong” verse 23 Living Bible

Today’s key verse is fundamental to understanding ourselves and our world. Paul outlines that human beings consist of three overlapping but distinct elements. We have a visible physical body which contains an invisible soul and a spirit. The soul comprises of our mind, emotions and will; with the soul we think, feel and decide. These are elemental in the formation of our personality and how we relate to others. The spirit is a part of us that communicates with God, who is Spirit (John 4:24). But the spiritual world is invisible and largely unknown. How then could God communicate its realities and principles to us? 

The Bible and the words of Jesus Himself are couched in everyday language using familiar items such as sheep, fish, money, clothes and food. There are also common experiences such as anxiety, love betrayal, work and hope. The parables themselves contain parallels of truth such as the parables of the Sower, the Pearl and the Net (Matt.13). Jesus uses the known to explain the unknown.

Paul desires we should be strong in body, soul and spirit. We become strong in body through food and exercise. We become strong in spirit by digesting God’s word and doing what it says!

Prayer: Lord, help me understand the spiritual world through Your parallels of truth