Food for Thought3 John 1:2 - Prosper
Food for Thought
An all-creatures.org Guide to Kingdom Living

By Marni Montanez

3 John 1:2 - Prosper

New King James Version (NKJV)

"2. Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just  as your soul prospers."     

Notice how the author prays for prosperity and health for the body yet  assumes that the soul of this person is healthy and prospering. When you  read the next verse you see why.

"3. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth".  

It is clear that this apostle knew his friend was speaking and living in the truth of God and because of this there was no doubt that his soul was indeed healthy and prospering.        

What is a soul? The most common understanding of the soul is in this description:

Definition of soul - nonphysical aspect of person: the complex of human attributes that manifests as consciousness, thought, feeling, and will, regarded as distinct from the physical body.

There's no way around it. In order to have a healthy soul we have to have a healthy thought life, a will  surrendered to God, and the ability to express our emotions in a healthy manner. A healthy soul is possessed by one who knows and relies on truth: The truth of God.

It says in God's word that you will know the truth and the truth shall set you free. Why is this so?  Because the truth He speaks of is an intimate truth meant just for our own specific needs and circumstances according to each phase of our life.  Jesus is the answer to every need that every person in this world has. 

His truth is universal in theme, but intimate in experience.  We can know the informational truth about things, but when that truth is a truth we need, it unlocks the door of oppression and we are indeed free to experience God's love and full acceptance. This is the ability of a healthy soul.  The writer connects the body and soul in this verse.

On earth they are both important and require the same attention working in unison to live full and healthy lives in the Lord. It is as difficult to pray and serve when we are depressed just as it is if we are physically tired or sick.  These conditions intertwine and affect each other. It is crucial to be healthy in our body and soul so that very little can hinder our walk.

Challenge: Deal with issues in your soul even as you deal with issues in your body.  Bring healing and wholeness to your body and soul.

God bless​,​

Marni​

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lamb-rightThe purpose of this series is to encourage people to live as loving, compassionate, and peacemaking children of God: Jesus tells us to pray, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10) God tells us through Micah (6:8), "He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God." And we know from Revelation 21:4 that there will be no more mourning, or crying, or pain, or death. Thus, Christian living requires us to set the standards of these conditions here on earth for our fellow human beings, and for the other animals, as a witness to the rest of the world. To do otherwise is not Christian.