This devotion is a monthly ministry of the Pee Dee Baptist Association, comprised of 31 Southern Baptist churches in Dillon and Marlboro Counties. For more information call 774-8062.
Featured this month is Dr. Greg Hyler, the pastor of Mount Calvary Baptist Church, Dillon.
Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
…. 2 Corinthians 4:16
There are two parts to every human being. Each person has both a body and a soul. This is what Paul refers to as the inner self and the outer self.
People spend an enormous amount of time caring for their bodies. Many work out to stay fit and healthy. Much time is given to decide what foods to eat, and then more time is needed to prepare a meal and to eat it. Doctor visits are expensive, yet necessary and time-consuming. Many hours a week are spent on grooming, hair, make-up, picking out clothes … all for the sake of the body.
Great amounts of time, effort, and energy are spent on the part of the person that is dying, or as Paul writes, “wasting away.” Yet the part that will last forever, the inner self, is often neglected. Consider a change in life whereby you begin caring for the soul like you care for the body. Nurture the inner man by prayer, church attendance, personal Bible study, meditation on Bible scriptures, spending time with others who are passionate about the things of God, fasting, and confession with repentance of sin.
The most important way to care for the soul is to be in a right relationship with God. This happens when one turns by faith to Jesus for salvation. Because all are sinners, there is a separation between God and man. Jesus died on the cross to pay for sin’s debt and to satisfy the wrath of God. He then arose on the third day.
When one trusts in Jesus, God applies Jesus’ payment to that person’s account, making the way for the soul to be at peace with God. For anyone who would like to have this peace, this prayer is for you:
God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus is Your Son, He died on the cross for me, and He is alive today. I want to turn and follow Jesus. I ask Jesus to save me right now. Jesus, come into my heart and help me to live for You. Thank You for loving me and for dying for me. Amen.
