They Wouldn’t Do It to Save Their Souls!

Remember that phrase? I have heard it all my life. It speaks to someone’s perceived irresponsibility. The one saying it means the person they are talking about would not do what was right or helpful or beneficial to themselves (usually because of apathy or laziness) even if their soul was at stake in the doing.

Now what is interesting is, I’ve known folks who have refused to do the right thing, and it was their soul that was at stake! They would be shown the passages about baptism (I Pet. 3:21) and say, well, not now. Or, that’s your interpretation. Or, I’ll take this feeling in my heart over anything in that Bible.

I’ve also known members of the church to refuse to give up booze, or someone else’s spouse, saying that’s what they needed to be happy; and God understood. My answer was, yes, God did understand - - only too well. But they would not repent. Not to save their souls.

Is it apathy or laziness these times? More likely, it is a slavery to their flesh (II Pet. 2:18, 19). They are blinded by their lusts and can see nothing but. The problem is that they do not want to see; for if they saw, they would have to change. And they would not change, not even to save their souls!

When the word rebukes us, when friends tell us what we need to do, don’t let either apathy or laziness or lust or pride get in the way of our doing what is right. They are telling us to save our souls!

Terry