Soul Status

-Submitted by Dennis Kresier - Layperson, Last Mountain Anglican Parish

September 4, 2023

In the Holy Scriptures, this word is mentioned repeatedly from Genesis to Revelations. There are many connotations mentioned in various situations. It is mostly used as a noun. What is it really? What does it mean in its reference? Does it refer to life, a being, a spirit, a state of mind & body, or something else?

At times, it can be quite perplexing. In Genesis Chapter 2, we have the story of the beginning of mankind in the Garden of Eden. Here, we read the account of God making man out of the dust of the ground, breathing into his nostrils the breath of life, and states that "Man became a living soul." This works for me! We believe that the soul is the part of us that never dies, even after we pass on. The soul cannot be killed or destroyed. Matthew 10:28 tells us not to fear those who can kill our body but who cannot kill the soul. Rather, we are to fear Him, who can destroy both our body "and" soul in hell.

Again, in Matthew 16:26, Jesus says, "What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul, or what can he give in exchange for his soul?" This suggests that, at some time, there will be a reckoning coming to each of us regarding our souls.

Many years ago, a short poem was written about the soul and our care for it. It states, "To everyone there opens a way, ways, and "the" way. The high soul climbs the high way, and the low soul gropes the low, and in between on the misty flats, the rest drift to and fro. But, to everyone there opens a high way and a low, and EVERYONE DECIDES the WAY his SOUL shall GO!"

What is the status of your soul? Which way are you heading?