Spirit, Soul, And Body

We are complicated beings, more than what we see in the mirror.  I have been studying the tri-person existence we all share to understand myself. I would like to share my conclusions with you, and it may give you some insights into your identity.^“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23.

We of Anglo-Saxon and kindred descent are physical children of Abraham. This includes Celtic, Scandinavian, and Germanic people, but even more, pockets of people throughout the world. For instance, I believe some Ukrainians are Israelites, descended from the Vikings that settled there. We are descended from the lost tribes of Israel. Our bodies were passed down to us from Abraham and Sarah, then Isaac and Rebekah, then Jacob and his four wives. Physically, we are children of Abraham. However, a day is coming when Jesus Christ will descend from heaven and we will be changed, and we will be physically adopted by God. “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” Romans 8:22-23. This redemption is only available to Christians.

As Christians, we are already transformed spiritually. Our spirits were born again when the Holy Spirit entered us. Jesus said, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” John 3:6-7. Your spirit within you is holy and without sin. “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” 1 John 3:9. When Jesus Christ returns and we are transformed physically, our bodies will be holy and without sin for eternity, just like our spirits. That is wonderful news for the future, but what about now? The apostle Paul wrote, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” Galatians 5:16-17. We will continue to struggle with sin until we receive the physical adoption. Our flesh rebels against the Holy Spirit within us. Our spirits are in unity with the Holy Spirit, but our flesh is in conflict with Him. However, the Holy Spirit influences us to avoid the major sins, like murder, adultery, and the worship of other Gods. Jesus described our sins as the dirt we pick up on our feet, as we travel life’s road. “Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.” John 13:10-11. Even though our sins are typically what we think, or sometimes what we say, we must continually confess them as sins and ask the Lord for forgiveness. A good practice is to say the Lord’s prayer every day to acknowledge our sins and ask for forgiveness.

The third part of the human being is the soul. The soul is connected to both the body and the spirit. The soul, like the body, is guilty of sin. It is the source of your will. It makes decisions for what you do and can be corrupted. The apostles wrote letters to the Gentiles saying, “Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:” Acts 15:24. If the soul can be subverted, then it is capable of sin. I believe the perfecting of our souls will occur at the return of Jesus when we are transformed into the image of the Lord for eternity. May that day come soon!