The Last Play is Under Review

Nobody asked, “Do you want to be born?” That ship has sailed. No one was offered the choice of the place they were to be born — not the circumstances, not the nation, not the culture, not even the family.

But God gave us free will from the get go. First appearing in a child’s “terrible twos,” it is an essential step, giving the individual the ability to say “No.” — no to the place they were born, saying no to their circumstances, their nationality, culture, and even family. Sometimes the will exerts itself later in adolescence like “a rebel without a cause” or an impatient young man or woman who wants the inheritance of adulthood far before they are ready for its responsibilities. Consequences run the gamut from success to disaster — from losing family and friends to family restoration and gaining many new reliably true friends.

Now some mindsets think people have a “soul.” It is the inner person, the true reality of Humanity. Some view the soul as the “mind” — not the physical brain, but the ethereal, spiritual self. Others think of the innermost being as the “heart”- not the physical organ, but again, the ethereal, spiritual self. Unfortunately, some cannot see either option as truth. They deny any existence of a spiritual inner self. Maybe people are just an intricate cluster of millions of atoms interacting organically without any other consideration.

That seems to me to be very hard to believe. It is not likely that human physical existence is merely like a computer platform which has no deeper being, no moral or pragmatic choices reacting only to outside stimuli. Even animals in their interactions show more character, choice, and collaboration.

Why is their beauty in colorful sunsets? Why are the senses stirred by the smells of forests and the oceans? When we find love what is that deep seated reaction deep within? If there is no deep within ourselves, what makes life so wonderful? On the other hand, why are we disturbed by poverty, sickness, unjust domination by some over others? Why do we perceive ugliness in the actions of others? How is it that we can realize how unfair life can be? Why do we sometimes feel guilty?

Without that innermost being, none of those things would matter. None of those things would have any effect on us. Nevertheless, people are moral beings with deeper feelings than worms or bugs. Every individual has a soul.

So, what are we going to do with this free-wheeling soul? Many, many people throughout the eons have multitudes of answers. I have met a good number who have tasted that smorgasbord of tasty looking treats. Those who I met gave the results of partaking. Dead ends were their basic experiences. Then, they testified that what all they were searching for in life was fulfilled in their “coming to Jesus moment.” That, I know, is a phrase used for mocking, contempt, and ridicule, not a phrase coming from respect, nor consideration, nor inquisitiveness.

The soul is real. God, the Creator of the Universe and everything and everybody, the only true and living God revealed in the Bible, He is real. In fact He made mankind and gave us breath.

“Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” Genesis 2:7 (NIV).

What do most people say to this? Because some reject the very idea of God and some absolutely scorn the Bible truths, the idea of the soul is rejected out of hand, automatically.

Some say, because it is in the Bible, or furthermore, because God said it, “It must be true.” Others say, “Nonsense.” The Bible has this testimony, “Taste and see that the LORD is good. How happy is the person who takes refuge in him!” Psalm 34:8.