Biblical Examples of Loving God with Soul
The love of soul for God is in acts of respect for God. Classic biblical examples of this kind of love are in those people who see visions and do not try to explain them. These visions are understood as God's meeting with a human being. Apostle Peter, although not a vision per se, uses this kind of love when he cries out to Jesus, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."[1] And Jesus recognizing that Peter loves God with his soul exclaims, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven."[2] Peter is finally able to see and respect Jesus. Peter is not trying to do something for God but be with God. It is for this reason that Jesus rightfully identifies that Peter's response comes from the very place where humankind meets God, the soul.
Jesus does things other than healing, preaching, and teaching. Some of his human interaction falls into a fourth category. There are times when he wants people to not only feel something for God (Heart, through healing) or think something about God (Mind, through teaching) or do something for God (Strength, through preaching). He, in addition, pushes people to see God in a new light by recognizing the soul aspect of their faith. Jesus 'encourages intimacy' with God. This encompasses those times when Jesus wants his followers to experience God as Person. It is the work of Christ encouraging people into a relationship not based on dogma or action. Jesus identifies this side of human faith in several instances.
A great example of this is an interaction Jesus has with a Samaritan woman getting water from a well. He approaches her and asks her to give him some water. She questions his request so he answers her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water."[3] The difference between this phrase and the other sayings that Jesus uses is great. He is asking her to see something that she cannot see with her physical nature. This is his way of wanting to help her perfect her faith. It is more than trying to teach her about God or command her to do something. This is a whole different level for her. Jesus wants her to be intimate with God. Jesus continues in the story, "'But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.' The woman said to him, 'I know that Messiah is coming' (who is called Christ). When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us.' Jesus said to her, 'I am he, the one who is speaking to you.'"[4] This story contains all aspects of faith in it. Jesus helps her feel, think, and act differently for God. But what makes it affect her soul is that the story is personal. A nation in the world can change the way someone feels or thinks. A good book can push someone to act differently. But a nation or a book, for example, is not a person. A relationship cannot be had with either one of these. That's what makes God different. This is what makes this story different. God wants a personal relationship with this woman at the well.
[1] Mat 16:16 [2] Mat 16:17 [3] John 4:10 [4] John 4:23-26
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