Soul to Soul

In the King James translation of Matthew 11:25 it says, “At that time, Jesus answered . . .” The NIV says, “At that time, Jesus said . . .”

Why the difference? Well, think about it. Jesus answered - what exactly? Look at the context. Has any question been asked?

Not obviously.

It looks like the NIV translators thought “said” was a more correct translation but I wonder. Notice that Jesus answered, “I praise you Father . . .”

I think that the Spirit of God the Father had said something to the Spirit of God the Son. This goes to the point that Hugo was trying to make a few posts ago about communicating with Creator God, soul to soul.

Throughout the Gospels we are given comments of Jesus where He says that He is in constant communication with God the Father. In fact, according to Jesus, there was not a word spoken by Jesus that He had not received from His Father. In fact, God was in Jesus and Jesus was in God. Hugo essentially is asking, Can we have the same type of relationship / communication?

Well, yes and no.

God speaks to us from His Soul to our soul by several means. One of the most common means is through His Word. The Bible is like a letter from our Creator to us. It speaks deeply to the soul of Jesus’ friends. Not so for those who are not in a healed relationship with Jesus. The difference is dramatic and the consequence eternal. An atheist and a follower of Jesus can be going through exactly the same circumstances in life. Let’s say it’s relationship struggles. The atheist can read a verse in the Bible (eg. Colossians 3:12,13) and see only words, meaningless words - “stupid words if you knew how I was being treated by that jerk.” Someone who desires to follow Jesus can read the same words and receive the kind of guidance that leaps off the page and provides life changing information. This is Soul to soul communication. A letter of advice from a trusted friend, designed solely to guide the friend in need. The person without the Spirit looks for reasons why what the Bible says shouldn’t apply to h/her. The person with God’s Spirit feels quickly and clearly what God is saying through His Spirit to us.

“The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1st Corinthians 2:14

We can also communicate with our Creator, soul to Soul through prayer - i.e. talking directly with God. “Pray without ceasing” is the advice that we receive from the apostle Paul. He’s saying, “Develop the kind of spiritual life whereby you are in constant fellowship with your Lord and Saviour.” Like any parent who loves h/his children, unfaltering Soul to soul communication is what God desires with us. The prayer life of new Christians usually involves much talk on our part. Listening for what God is saying to us is a developed habit, a spiritual discipline that comes as relationship trust increases. How do we know that what we are hearing is in fact from our Creator, Lord and Saviour? If what we’re hearing agrees with what is said in His Word, then we know we’re on the right track. God will NEVER contradict in our thoughts what He has said in His Word. For example, if you think God is telling you to follow your heart and leave your wife and children for another woman (I’ve worked with people like this), trust me, it ain’t God who’s talking to you.

This listening is a wonderful stage of spiritual growth, especially when one realises that God cares enough to be in personal contact with His creation. Sceptics have argued, “How could God possibly listen to over a billion prayers at once?" Even believers sometimes wonder if they should bother God with “petty” fears or concerns when there are others with problems a thousand times more desperate. Here’s the thing. God isn’t listening to a billion prayers at the same time. Or a million or a hundred, or even two.

He’s only listening to one prayer - yours.

Creator God is fully present everywhere, all the time. God isn’t taking care of 8 billion people.

He’s taking care of only one person - you.

God isn’t caring for, guiding, correcting, nurturing, growing, loving and longing to interact with everyone at once. He wants to interact with only one person.

Ya - you.

When we humble ourselves before our Creator, the Spirit of God opens our ears to hear what was impossible to even conceive prior to our relationship being healed. As time goes by, trust grows until hardly a step is taken, hardly a decision is made without first “discussing” the issue with and listening for guidance from Him who loves us with a perfect love, perfect wisdom, perfect guidance. As trust grows we find that He is always faithful to His promises.

. His voice convicts us of changes that need to be made.
. The Spirit highlights new mercies every morning.
. He prompts thankfulness for truth He has opened to our understanding.
Intimate communication with our Creator is an honour and a privilege that only those of His choosing can experience.

Those on the outside can only mock that which they don’t understand.

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.” 1st Cor. 1:18

My prayer is that every follower of Jesus does not rest until day or night, during disaster or times of safety, rich or poor, married or single, healthy or sick, happy or sad, their spiritual ears may hear what His Soul is saying to our soul.