Because of the value of the soul security for the soul is needed. Security for the soul is found within the Word of God, the Bible. Security for the soul involves walking in the light (1 John 1:7-10). Security for the soul involves walking in the truth (2 John 1-4). Walking in the truth requires knowing the truth. The word "truth" is found two hundred thirty five times in the Bible. John uses the word truth twenty seven times in the book of John, twenty times in the books of First, Second and Third John. Truth can be known (John 8:32). If one is to know the truth, he must desire the truth (Psa. 25:4-5; John 7:17). Walking in the truth requires going to the source of truth which is the Word of God (John 17:17). Truth is based on evidence (Heb. 11:1). The Word of God is the proof one needs to know the truth (John 20:30-31; 1 John 5:13). Security for the soul involves walking in love (2 John 5-6). The nature of love requires action. Christians are to love one another (John 13:34-35). The Lord commands that Christians love one another (1 John 3:23; 2 John 5). The truth demands that Christians love their enemies (Matt. 5:44). Love for one another will manifest itself by helping others with spiritual problems (Gal. 6:1), and by helping others with the necessities of life (1 John 3:17-18; James 2:14-16). Security for the soul involves work. Works are required to demonstrate faith (James 2:14-26). Works are required if one is going to follow the example of Jesus (1 Pet. 2:21; John 9:3-4; 5:36; 17:4). Works are required if one desires to bring glory to the Father (Matt. 5:16). Works are required if one desires to be wise (James 3:13-18). Works are required because all will be judged by works (Eccl. 12:13-14; Rev. 14:13; Heb. 6:10; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 2:6). Security for the soul involves living the Christian life (Rev. 2:10; 1 Pet. 2:11-12). Security for the soul involves hope (1 Cor. 15:19). Hope sustains the Christian, the saved soul, as he faces trials and persecutions (2 Tim. 3:12). Hope is part of the Christian’s armor (Eph. 6:12-18). Security for the soul requires growth (1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18). Peter describes the fact that some souls will not continue to walk in the light and in the truth (2 Pet. 2:20-22). The apostle Paul wrote, "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway" (1 Cor. 9:27). Security for the soul involves living a sacrificial life. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Rom. 12:1-2).

Since the soul is so valuable the saved soul should seek the salvation of other souls. Jesus came to the earth to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). God’s eternal purpose was the salvation of souls (Eph. 3:10-11). God planned and purposed the church before the foundation of the world (2 Tim. 1:9; Tit. 1:2). Jesus commands that Christians seek to save others (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16). The apostles obeyed the command to go into all the world and preach the gospel of Christ (Acts 2-28). The Word of God is the seed of the Kingdom (Luke 8:11; 1 Pet. 1:23). This means the seed must be planted if a soul is to be saved. On the first Pentecost after the Lord’s ascension, the Holy Spirit fell upon the apostles and they began to preach the gospel of Christ (Acts 2:1-38). The recipients of this gospel were baptized, and those who did so were added to the church by the Lord (Acts 2:41-47). The Word of God was spread throughout the whole world before the end of the first century. Paul wrote to the church at Rome, "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world" (Rom. 1:8). Paul in writing to the church at Colosse said, "For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth" Col. 1:5-6). Everywhere Paul went, he preached the gospel of Christ. Paul wrote, "If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister" (Col. 1:23). Since there is no way to save a soul apart from the word of God, the gospel of Christ, the saved soul must seek to preach and teach the gospel to every lost soul.

All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version unless otherwise indicated.

Wilson, William Wilson’s Old Testament Word Studies, McLean, VA: MacDonald Publishing Co.

If you would like to order the book Time and Eternity – Part Two When The Morning Breaks Eternal you may do so by writing the Eastside church of Christ – 2141 Kingston, Muskogee, OK 74403.