According to the Bible (Word of God), each one of us communicates in three distinct ways – with our individual body, soul and spirit. Below is the 3-step mode of communications all humans use (consciously or unconsciously):
- We communicate with our planet through our individual bodies (internally and externally).
- We communicate with other humans through our individual souls (mind, emotions, will).
- We communicate with God through our individual spirits (through the Holy Spirit interacting with each one’s conscience).
Jesus Christ clearly declared, in Matthew 16:24-25 (ESV), “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” This means that we have a choice of two paths – each of us can keep our earthly interests, or we can save our individual souls.
Jesus has said that those who follow Him must willingly sacrifice themselves in every way. True followers of Jesus Christ must be willing to deny their own wants and preferences, taking up their crosses as He did, on a daily basis. True followers must give up every ounce of their own agenda, totally submitting to the will of God and His purposes. It will “cost” them everything, but what is given up is temporary and relatively worthless.
Those who refuse self-sacrifice can live for themselves. Jesus’ declaration allows for the fact that they may be successful in the world’s terms. Perhaps they will even gain the whole world for themselves. The problem is that such earthly success can only last until death comes and raises the question of the soul persisting, and entering into eternal death.
- Do we want eternal death? [Daniel 12:2 (ESV) and Matthew 25:46 (ESV)]
- Do we want ephemeral earthly success? [Ecclesiastes 2 (ESV)]
Which is the way of God? I believe that the answers, to the two questions cited, is provided logically and clearly, in one verse – Hebrews 4:12 (ESV):
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”