EVEN AS…


 


Have you ever thought about what the term, “EVEN AS”, means?

 


Dictionaries define it as: “at the same time”.



In the New Testament, however, there is a slightly different connotation.
Strong’s Greek definition: “according as. just as, even as. in proportion as, in the degree that.”



So, when it says in 3John2, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, EVEN AS thy SOUL prospereth.”, it is talking about a comparative quantification, rather than something happening within the same time frame.


In other words, “…I desire that you be in health and prosper TO THE SAME DEGREE AND MEASURE THAT your SOUL prospers”.



When born again one becomes a new creature in Christ that never existed before… born of the SPIRIT.  

 

But… his SOUL still needs to be renewed!


1Thes5:23: Paul distinguishes, “… I pray God your whole SPIRIT and SOUL and BODY be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”


“SOUL” (psuche) points directly to personality makeup, including the mind, will, and emotions.

 

 “psuche” is also translated “LIFE”, alluding to how one thinks or processes all input, including his ambition, desires, and goals.


Jn15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his LIFE (psuche) for his friends.”

 

If I love you, I will lay down MY ambitions… MY desires… MY goals… MY way of thinking… So you can live.

My whole purpose representing Christ: “that YOU might have LIFE, and that you might have it more abundantly” (Jn10:10)


So…. How does your SOUL (LIFE) PROSPER? (3John2)



Ja1:21 “…receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to SAVE (sozo – deliver, heal, get on well, PROSPER, to be made whole) YOUR SOULS.”


Once born again, it is our SOUL (mind, will, emotions, desires, ambitions, etc) that now needs to be transformed so we may be conformed into the likeness and image of Christ. (Rom12:2)

 

It is our SOUL where the battle rages to see who’s voice wins.

 

It is there we make our decisions as to whose report we believe.

 

It is there where the issue of Lordship is won or lost in every aspect of our LIFE…


So… EVEN AS your SOUL PROSPERS…

 

 

… your body and life will follow.


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