Keeping the Soul

The Book of Proverbs is a book of contrasts. Look at 19:16. “He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who is careless of his ways will die.” The Bible is filled with statements of the necessity of keeping the commandments of God. Jesus’ familiar statement “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven” is one of them. Again, note the contrast. One keeps his soul and the other will die. What makes the difference? Of course, the obvious answer is that one keeps the commandments while the other is careless with his soul by just being religious. The latter did not keep the commandments.

In the New Testament, there is an exact parallel to Solomon’s statement. It is found in Mark 16:16. Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized [keeps the commandment] shall be saved: but he who does not believe [Is careless in his ways and does not obey the command] will be condemned.“ Question: Are you one who keeps your soul by doing the will of God, or are you careless in your ways?