Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Soul (07/13/06)
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TITLE: Soul-the Fitting Mate of Our Body | Previous Challenge Entry
By Timothy Pianzin
07/20/06 -
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19 There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. 23In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. 24 He called out, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.” 25 But Abraham said, “Child, remember that during your lifetime you received good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. 26 Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us” (NRSV).
Lazarus, living in the life and time of Jesus, was really poor to the core. Lazarus spent his time at the gate of the rich man indicating that he was a beggar, dependent on the mercy of the rich man that passed by everyday. He was covered in sores showing that he was a destitute, helpless in life. Lazarus took his suffering in grace without ignoring the commandments of God, which showed that he was clothed in righteousness. So when he died the angels carried him to join Abraham in heaven.
The rich man passed by Lazarus everyday but he did not have compassion on him. Even the dogs that came to lick Lazarus’ sores were better in compassion than the rich man. He had failed to live up to God’s commandment on love In being unable to love, the rich man died in sin; his body was buried, but his soul was thrown in hell.
From his torment in hell the rich man saw Abraham with Lazarus beside him. He appealed to Abraham’s pity so that he may send Lazarus to cool the tip of his tongue. However, Abraham reminded the rich man that he was comfortable while on earth and Lazarus was in agony and he did not care. In heaven their fortune was reversed. While on earth, the rich man did not have pity on Lazarus even though he had often passed him at his gate. So why should the rich man find pity in the heavenly realm?
Like the body, which is a vessel for the soul; the soul itself is a vessel for the spirit. In the case of Lazarus, his soul accommodates the Holy Spirit and that is why he was able to live by the righteousness of God even in his sufferings. The rich man’s soul was occupied by the evil spirit so he was unable to live the commandment of God on love. In essence the soul is the body’s link to the spiritual realm so is fitting mate for the body. Christians have to take care of the soul, protecting it from sin, so that we can become closer to God. In being able to do this the body prepare for the ultimate glory of the soul in the afterlife. Therefore, it is our responsibility to protect the soul. Jesus who is the lover of our soul prepares us for salvation by advising us to love our soul so that it can ultimately find peace in heaven-the proper place for a God-loving soul being directed by God-loving body.
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