248. MAR 8:36. THE VALUE OF THE SOUL

Mar_8:36. The Value of the Soul

PART I

"For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul."’97Mar_8:36.

That the soul of man is of immense value, is obvious to all. Yet were we to judge by the conduct of men, we might conclude that it was of no worth whatever. Every thing seems to occupy the attention of mankind, rather than the improvement and salvation of the soul. Happy shall we be, if we can suggest any thing by which attention to this subject may be effected.

Let us, then, Contemplate the incalculable Value of the Soul

The value of the soul is clearly deducible from many considerations.

I. The Spirituality of its Nature.

The soul is an immaterial creature, and thus stands allied to the angels, who are described as spirits, and as flames of fire. The body is an exquisitely beautiful structure’97the hands, the countenance, the eye, &c. How wonderful the brain; yet all this is matter, a beautified structure of earth. But the soul is spiritual, and hence more dignified in its nature. This is clear, when we consider, that,

1. The soul is capable of thought and reflection, matter is not.

A stone or clod of earth cannot think Alter its form or shape; let it be quiescent, or in rapid motion; still it cannot think. Refine it, let it be as subtle as the electric fluid; apply to it all the discoveries of chemistry, yet it is matter still.

2. The soul retains its powers though the body be mutilated or decaying.

Many have lost limbs, and many have been worn down by disease, and yet their mental powers have been as clear and vigorous as ever. The soul’s immateriality,

3. Is fully established by revelation.

When God had formed the body of earth, "he breathed into his nostrils," &c. The preacher says, at death, the body returns to the dust, and the spirit to God, &c. Job says, "There is a spirit in man," &c. Stephen said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit," &c. Paul said, "To be absent from the body," &c. The body is the house; the soul, the tenant. The body, the casket; the soul, the jewel, &c.

Consider the soul,

II. In the Dignity of its Faculties.

As the body has its various members, so the soul has its various faculties and attributes.

1. There is the understanding.

This is the eye of the mind. The inlet of knowledge. The window of the soul.

2. There is the judgment.

Which weighs and determines respecting the things which the understanding has received.

3. There is the will.

Which chooses or rejects the things brought before it, by the understanding and judgment.

4. There are the affections.

Which cause us to love, desire, enjoy, or delight in what we choose. Or to fear, hate, &c., those things which are not agreeable to us.

5. There is the memory.

Which is the mental capacity for storing up our knowledge and ideas of things, events, &c. Then,

6. There is the conscience.

Or moral monitor of the soul, which judges and pronounces a verdict upon all we do, or say, or think. With these faculties man is exalted to a close alliance with angels, and is capable of being enriched with vast stores of mental and spiritual knowledge.

Consider the soul,

III. In the Immortality of its Being.

It has pleased God to make the soul an undying creature. Hence its value is greatly enhanced by the immortality of its existence. The evidences of the soul’s immortality are numerous. We may just notice,

1. That its immortality seems imprinted on its nature.

Nearly all nations, and people, and tongues, have some idea of its future existence. The Chaldeans, Grecians, Pythagoreans, Egyptians, Chinese, have all believed it. It was taught by Plato, Homer, Socrates, Cicero. It is found in the writings of Brahmins, in the Alcoran of Mohammed, and in the oracles and histories of all nations. This universal impression has obviously been imprinted by the finger of God.

It seems obvious,

2. From the boundless desires of the soul.

Men not only believe it, but long for it. Thirst after it. Whether rich or poor, learned or illiterate, they shudder at the thought of destruction, and look onward to immortality.

It seems evident also,

3. From the expansion of its faculties.

The mind is capable of vast enlargement. None can place limits to its improvement. See Newton, or Boyle, or Locke, or Bacon, in childhood, with all their mental littleness; and then view them maturing in knowledge, and attaining such mental greatness. It is not reasonable that these powers are elicited, to be quenched by eternal annihilation.

We conclude the soul to be immortal,

4. From the righteous character of God.

Men are not dealt with here according to the moral features which they possess. Wicked and impious often in affluence and prosperity. The righteous are often in poverty and affliction. Often persecuted, oppressed, &c. If the righteous do not exist in a future state, then they can never be recompensed, &c. So if the wicked do not exist in a future state, they cannot possibly be punished. Hence the immortality of the soul is essential to the righteous administration of God.

5. This is clear from the statements of the Scriptures Jesus says, "Fear not those who can only kill the body," &c. The wicked are said to go out of life "into everlasting punishment, and the righteous into life eternal." Mat_25:46. Hence all the statements about judgment, eternity, &c.

The value of the soul is obvious.

IV. From the Manifestations of God’s infinite Regards towards it.

1. Infinite wisdom, power, and goodness formed it.

God created it in his express image, and for his own glory.

2. The infinitely precious blood of Christ hath redeemed us.

"Redeemed not with corruptible," &c. What a price! How vast and inconceivable the sum!

3. The infinite Spirit employs his influences to save it.

He illuminates, convinces, regenerates, guides, and keeps to eternal glory.

4. Infinite glories are prepared for it.

Mansions in the imperial palace of Jehovah. Abiding thrones. Never fading honors. Inheritances incorruptible, undefiled, &c. In one word’97eternal life.

Application

1. Who can doubt the value of the soul.

2. How culpable are those who neglect their souls.

3. The powers of hell are constantly laboring for their everlasting ruin.

4. The soul is in imminent peril of being lost.

5. God alone can save and keep unto eternal life.

6. The importance of immediate repentance, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS