Spirit, Soul & Body Part 1Намуна

Spirit, Soul and Body - at the starting line

Introduction

God knows each and every individual. As a thought alone that is mind-blowing. He knows you and I, and even knows you and me better than we know ourselves. Amazing, right?

When we meet or are introduced to somebody for the first time, nearly always the first question that gets asked is “so tell me, what do you do?” It is pretty much never “so tell me who are you?”

Giving your name on introduction and perhaps something about a role you fulfill is often counted enough as an answer, even though it doesn’t tell anything of who you are at all. There are characteristics, personalities, natural and visual differences that make each person unique, and yet, our fundamentals are the same:

You and I have a Body - in which we are physically present and feel physically;

You and I have a Soul - which is not visible to sight, but in which is our perception, intellect and faculties of conscience and emotion;

You and I have a Spirit - our innermost being, the deepest depth of the person - the very life in us.

These devotionals are written so that each individual can grow as a follower of Jesus, grow in our awareness of what makes us human and to align our whole being to the new life we receive in him.

Reflection

Reflect on the specific words that stand out to you in these verses. Pause and invite God to share what is in his heart with you.

Introspection

Paul writes to the church in Thessaloniki as though he is praying these words in utterance to God. Not only is he bringing light to the three fundamental parts of a person (body, soul, spirit) but he is anticipating, urging, willing with hope-filled expectation that in their completeness, God and his wholeness would be known.

As Paul writes to the church in Corinth, he is announcing and affirming those who have come to recognise their inclusion in the family of God, through the work of Jesus and are repositioned under his Lordship, with every reason to see the new life he gives.

Your Next Step

Take some time to pray into this. Invite God to speak and affirm who you are - who he knows you to be in spirit, soul and body.

Let this be a treasured and deeply personal time of hopeful expectation where life and truth align.