Dear Ones,
After I understood the following, it cleared up a lot of mysteries for me.
Salvation Is
Threefold
We are created a
triune being in the image of the trinity. God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
So, what three parts are we? We are body, soul, and spirit, (I Thess. 5: 23).
Hebrews 4: 12
states that only the Word of God can “divide asunder soul and sprit, and of the
joints and marrow.” I cannot define the difference adequately.
Here’s what is
important. Salvation happens for all three parts of us. Not just our spirits,
as I wrongly understood for many years. Simply put, our spirit is saved
at the new birth (John 3: 5-6). Our soul is being saved by the renewing of the
mind (Eph. 4: 22-32) and our body will be saved at the resurrection when what
is corruptible shall put on incorruptible (I Cor. 15: 54).
When Jesus sweat
drops of blood, He was taking on all the sorrows and griefs (our soul wounds)
of the whole human race (Isa. 53: 4). He was pierced for our transgressions
(our spiritual death), and by His stripes we were healed (physical illness). If
you question that physical illness is part of the package, look at Matthew 8:
17, which clearly states Jesus healed physical bodies to fulfill Isaiah’s
prophecy. He is still healing diseases today because He is the same, yesterday,
today, and forever.
He paid the penalty
for all three parts of our triune being. That does not mean that we don’t have
soul wounds or physical illnesses or that our bodies will not die. That means
the curse of the Law has been fulfilled. Our appointment with physical death
does not change because of Adam’s curse (not Moses’s law). However, our spirits
have already passed from death to eternal life! (John 5: 24). Our bodies have
been redeemed from the curse of all sickness and disease listed in Deuteronomy
28: 15-68. We need only to receive by faith what Jesus provided (Galatians 3:
13).
Sorrow comes,
but we sorrow not as the world sorrows (I Thess. 4: 13). Soul wounds and
illnesses will happen, but as we renew our minds (souls) we learn to overcome
by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.
Father of
Light I rejoice in Your goodness and mercy! I could never imagine giving my
child’s life as a ransom for the wicked. How great is Your love. May I walk
worthy of so great salvation. Amen.
