Man consists of spirit, soul, and body. When the spirit came into contact with the body, man became a living soul. Gen. 2:7. The first man was of the earth, earthly. 1 Cor. 15:47. Our senses are in the soul, and they are exercised in the direction in which we have our interests. We are personalities to the degree that we have our senses exercised. Our body is taken from the earth, and by it we enjoy earthly things. The prince of this world gains power over mankind through their passions and desires. 2 Cor. 4:4; Eph. 2:2-3. Our senses are exercised in the visible realm, and we become personalities in earthly things. “For what advantage is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?” (Luke 9:25)—or, “Loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matt. 16:26. In other words it is the same whether it says “himself” or “his own soul.” Many people have become great personalities in this world in their striving to gain this world. They have exercised their senses to a high degree in various areas, but all their understanding will perish. They have to leave everything behind. Then they lose their soul. No one asks for them anymore. They have lost “themselves.” “Receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.” 1 Pet. 1:9. This is written in connection with “various trials” and a “tested faith.” If we believe in Jesus who testified “My kingdom is not of this world,” He must also be Lord in our heart. Jesus said, “Whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” Here we are put to the test whether we want to walk by faith or by our earthly reasoning. Our reasoning says it is better to lie a little and gain ten thousand than it is to tell the truth and lose ten thousand. Faith says, “Seek God’s kingdom first.” Our nature tells us that we have to avenge ourselves. Faith says, “Bless those who curse you.” If we live by faith, our senses are exercised to discern between good and evil. Heb. 5:14. We become unique entities in God’s kingdom. We have to make a choice between living according to our nature—our reasoning—and living by faith according to God’s Word in the various trials of daily life. Then we have the opportunity of pouring out our human and earthly reasoning from our senses and having them exercised—filled with spiritual understanding—with things that pertain to God. Matt. 16:23. According to the time the Hebrews should have been teachers concerning the things that pertained to the kingdom of God—that which is perfect—but they were still babes. They still had their life—their soul—in earthly things. It is obvious that this is the condition of most people. If there is talk about earthly things, they can be great personalities; but as soon as the conversation turns to spiritual things, they are quiet. They can speak for hours about house, furniture, food, and clothing, but they don’t last ten minutes when the conversation turns to spiritual matters. The salvation of the soul is the same as receiving a spiritual mind—becoming spiritual instead of being earthly. This is the end of our faith. The usual goal for believers is to get to heaven when they die instead of being lost, comforting themselves with the thief on the cross. He lost his entire life—everything for which he had had a sense, yet his spirit was saved. This is what Paul says about someone whom he had delivered to Satan for the destruction of his flesh so that his spirit would be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 1 Cor. 5:5. The salvation of the soul came with Jesus. The prophets had prophesied concerning this salvation, testifying beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 1 Pet. 1:9-12. They did not serve themselves with these prophecies, but us. In the old covenant all the promises concerned an earthly glory, but we have partaken of exceedingly great and precious promises that we through them may partake of divine nature. 2 Pet. 1:4. The rich young ruler had kept the commandments and consequently had experienced the fulfillment of the promises—he had become rich. These were earthly riches, and his life was bound up in them. When Jesus wanted to loosen him from them so he could become spiritual, he went away sorrowful. Matt. 19:17-23. He wanted to have both parts, which is impossible. There are many believers like that. In the old covenant they worshiped God in various ways, but it was all dead works. They were not transformed by it; however, Jesus’ blood cleanses our consciences from dead works to serve the living God. Heb. 9:9-14. Paul writes about building with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, and straw, and that all of it will be tested by fire. “If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” 1 Cor. 3:12-15. There are many Christians who work for God and sacrifice themselves in various ways, but they remain the same earthly people. They perform dead works—self-imposed religion—wood, hay, and straw. Col. 2:23. They do not become spiritual. They can sound spiritual behind the pulpit; but when they are free—when they are themselves—you notice right away that their interest is in earthly things. Earthly things mean so much to them. Their building will burn up. They will lose their reward. They will not be a personality on that Day. If we have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, we have our fruit unto sanctification. Rom. 6:22. Then we have works that are living, and by doing them we partake of divine nature. The result is gold, silver, and precious stones. Then our building will stand. On that day I will be a personality. The intention is that Jesus’ life shall be manifested in our mortal flesh. 2 Cor. 4:11. Then our life—our works—will remain. That is the fine linen, clean and bright, in which the bride will array herself. Rev. 19:7-8. All of them have received a tried faith through all kinds of trials. All of them have gained the crown of life. Jas. 1:12. In the light of this we see the deception that is being perpetrated by means of the usual preaching: “He has done everything; we shall not do anything.” When Jesus was perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. Heb. 5:9. It is by being obedient that we cleanse our souls and receive a sense for the things of God. 1 Pet. 1:22. They had the forgiveness of sins in the old covenant. They were not lost, but the salvation of the soul through obedience came with Jesus, and Paul had received the apostleship for the purpose of working obedience to the faith among the Gentiles to the glory of His name. Rom. 1:5. Therefore the goal of our faith must not just be that we are not lost, but rather the salvation of our soul—that the life which we now live in our body may endure the fire. We serve in the newness of the Spirit; so now we live the eternal life with which Jesus came. This is what John proclaimed. 1 John 1:2-3.Sigurd Bratlie