Soul care: Focusing on the inner healing of the soul 

“If you want to save your soul then lose it for Him.”
-Dr. Fred Chay

Legalism is a term widely known and frowned upon in the Christian world and most of us unconsciously fall into this trap of exerting perfect effort to be worthy in the sight of God with the price of losing our intimate relationship with Him in the process.

Last October 15, Dr. Fred Chay, the current Professor of Theological Studies & Hermeneutics and the Dean of the Doctor of Ministry Program at Grace School of Theology, discussed the dangers of being zealous and too absorbed in studying about God that we forget to take care of our own souls.

Spiritual Formation

“Sometimes in our zeal to be biblical, we forget what it means to be spiritual” 
-Daniel Wallace

Dr. Chay emphasized that it’s imperative for students to not get wrapped up around writing papers and exams and only know God on an academic and logical level. Studying and researching God should lead students to worship not simply research. The danger of depersonalizing God can also happen to not only students but to seminary professors as well.

Eternal Security vs Eternal Significance 

(2 Timothy 2:11-13)

We have eternal security with Christ because even at times that we are faithless He remains to be faithful. At the same time, we’ll have the pleasure to be rewarded for faithfulness and to reign with Christ if we will endure the hardships that this life will concur.

This is where soul care becomes essential. Soul care and spiritual formation enable Christians to conform to the image of Christ and not become unbelieving.

Dr. Chay assured us doctrinally that God will remain faithful because He cannot deny Himself, but this is not an assurance that every Christian will remain faithful. Christians can fall captive to unfaithfulness and at some point in their life will stop believing.

The Salvation of the Soul

“The true goal of Christian faith is more than to escape from eternal damnation. It is to achieve a fullness of life now and a resplendent glory in the age to come.”

In addition, he highlighted that the salvation of our soul does not only mean to escape hell altogether but manifesting the total transforming work of God upon our lives that are realized in the midst of Christ-like suffering, and which in the future will be unveiled in Christ-like glory.

Bema Seat

With the assurance of eternal security, our life will be put under a microscope at the Bema Seat. On the day of Christ, we will stand before His presence and be judged accordingly. We don’t want to shrink back in shame but we want to stand with confidence receiving our rewards in full for our deeds and faithfulness.

Dr. Chay stressed that there may be thousands of books and retreats available to restore our souls but ultimately the answer can be found in the Word of God. Jesus’ message is clear that we should lose our life for Him in order to save our souls.

Don’t delay or deny anymore the care that your soul deserves, the time to act is now.

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