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Richard’s Remarks- The Importance of the Intangibles
The Random House College Dictionary defines “intangible” as “…incapable of being perceived by the sense of touch…”
We sometimes have a hard time relating to and/or appreciating those things that are intangible. We live in a physical world and are accustomed to using our five senses – sight, touch, taste, hearing and smelling – in detecting and discerning the things around us. However, if something cannot be perceived through our five senses, that doesn’t automatically mean that it is nonexistent. For example, consider your emotions. Are they tangible? Can you see, touch, taste, hear or smell love, joy, sadness, anger, etc.? We can often times see the results of those emotions (tone of voice, facial expressions, demeanor, etc.), but the emotions themselves remain intangible. Yet, we know these emotions exist because we all experience them.
Our faith is an intangible. Through our faith, we have confidence in the unseen – “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 10:1). Our eyes have not looked directly upon our God. Our ears have not audibly heard His thundering voice. Yet, we fully understand that He is a reality. We see the results of God all around us in His creation – “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made…” (Rom. 1:20). In addition to the physical world around us, the Bible provides overwhelming evidence for the existence of our Almighty God. Therefore, our faith is not a “blind leap into the dark” but a logical response to the light of God’s word. And, the results/effects of our faith should be seen in our daily lives.
In the scriptures, we find extremely important information regarding another intangible – the soul. “Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21). Each person has a soul that is going to be eternally saved or eternally lost. Let’s allow that thought to strongly motivate us in regards to the well being of our own soul and the well being of souls around us.
“Out of sight, out of mind” is a phrase that we’ve heard many times. However, when it comes down to it, the most important things in life are those things which are intangible – i.e. faith, love, joy, peace, happiness, etc. Please, don’t allow yourself to be distracted by the tangible aspects of life. Instead, appreciate the intangibles and focus on them - especially the most important one – the soul.
“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” Mark 8:36 Astounding Numbers
In the lesson last Sunday morning, reference was made to the attack on Pearl Harbor. Of course, this was the event that drew the United States into World War II. As a result of the war, somewhere between 50 – 70 million people (military and civilian) lost their lives. That is an astounding number! Yet, it would pale in comparison to the number of souls lost to Satan. Let’s be mindful of the souls around us. Let’s continue to fight the good fight and let’s win souls for God – one at a time. |