Converting of our Soul

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: ….. (Psa 19:7)

Converting is to denote a turning back or a restoration and it goes deeper than the outward but deep into the soul. The soul is the seat of our mind, will and heart or our emotions. Jesus warns us to fear God who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Matt 10:28). We know that the body we have now is corruptible thus we wait for the redemption of our body when Christ returns (Rom 8:23). In the meanwhile our soul need saving as well. This is the parts of our lives that makes us human and respond both to fellow man and to God.

Jesus said at the conclusion of Matt 5 on the exposition of the spirit of the Law that the ‘being’ is what we are to attain…. The Perfection or maturity that Jesus is teaching about does not concern with the degree of excellence but rather the excellence that make a clear distinction of being a disciple in the Kingdom of God.

Why is it important to have our souls converted?
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1Th 5:23)

Firstly, our salvation concerns the whole – spirit, soul and body. Our soul…mind, will and emotions need to be preserved blameless, purged of all that is of the old man and putting on of the new man (Eph 4:24).
Mind: 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 12:2)
Will: I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. (John 5:30)
The converted mind and will need no longer question God and ask Him what His will is or are we still struggling and asking questions and not resting in His will? We learn to live for the Greater and not ourselves. We live to please and glorify God and not seek man’s approval. There is a purpose in our lives as we live in His Will. No longer purpose driven but lead by the Good Shepherd (Psa 23:2).

Emotions: A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. (Luke 6:45)
Jeremiah warns us how deceitful and wicket our heart is (Jer 17:9), thus we need a ‘new’ one (Eze 36:26). That is why we are commanded to love Him whole heartedly as opposed to Saul who ‘turned his heart from the LORD God of Israel’ (1 Kings 11:9) because he loved his wives more than God. A good heart draws out good things that blesses men and brings glory to God.

He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. (Prov 16:32)
A practical example of an unconverted soul is in the area of controlling one’s anger. Paul reminds unbridled anger can lead to sin (Eph 4:26) which certainly doesn’t bless men nor glorify God.

How do our souls receive it’s converting?
…… and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. (Jas 1:21)
How much have we allowed God’s Word to be inserted into our lives that cuts deeply (Heb 4:12)? The word ‘sword’ refers to the ‘machaira’ or scalpel like knife that is used to separate meat from the bones and for warfare. Have we allowed God’s word to do the surgical work on our souls to sanctify us such that self is cut off that the new man can be put on? Have we experienced being in face to face combat with the Word, self reacting and needing to be subjected to It's soul converting authority? If we view the Law as perfect in this perspective, we will appreciate the life-giving converting power that makes us free from the law of sin and death (Rom 8:2). 'Converting' means that this is a continual process that keeps sanctifying us till we either meet Him in death or when He returns (soon).