THE WORTH OF A SOUL by William Covert

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 25, 1901

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 27, No. 52.

THE WORTH OF A SOUL.

By William Covert

A SOUL redeemed through the blood of the Lamb is the most precious treasure in heaven or earth. The Lord says, “I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.” Isa. 13:12.

The world’s rich men have pearls, rubies, and diamonds, with estimated values high above the listed price of gold. But He that created all treasures has placed the blood-washed soul at a price so far beyond the shining minerals that they can not even be brought into the count.

The Infinite One has given Himself a ransom for a sin-stained soul. But rubies and diamonds do not reach high enough in the scale of value to call out from the Creator either love or compassion. Such things neither obey nor transgress. They have no tried or developed character, and so no moral or positive worth. What, then, is the value of all inanimate things when estimated in the scale by the side of an active, loving soul? In studying the subject, the finite mind discovers itself amazed and filled with joy, but trying in vain to sound the ocean of infinite love.

How to Reckon.

Desiring man to study upon the subject of his possible worth, the Lord suggested the following problem: “What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matt. 16:26. He whose soul is saved, gets a far richer portion than the one who receives only this world. Even tho he should obtain it all, he gets a thing of small worth compared to the value of salvation from sin and death. The part is better for the soul who is saved; for he gets everlasting life, and so has the true riches.

That person who does not get life, really has nothing that he can call his own. He has no means of holding title to anything. Without life, even that which he seems to have must pass away from him, and go to one who has a hold upon eternity.

Is Man Worth the Price?

Why does the Lord do so much to save men? It is not because obligation rests upon Him that He redeems them; for through sin they have forfeited their right to life. Ah, it is love—such love as only God can know and exercise—that constitutes the motive power of redemption.

In the great scheme of the universe, man has become a necessity to fill the complement; and the mind and will of God can not be satisfied without him. “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 8:38, 39.

The joys which are in store for man, and those which the Lord Himself will share with him through the infinite ages, are a part of the great scheme. No being, or thing, can sever the Creator from His purpose in those joys. Man, being included in God’s love, can not be excluded by the opposition of any creature.

As man learns more, he will love more and do better. The increase of knowledge and wisdom will enlarge his perceptions as the ages go by. Neither death nor decrepitude can then encroach upon his faculties. The multiplication of years and cycles will in that time have an inverse effect upon him so as proportionately to enhance the glory of every attribute. The order of things which has prevailed while death ruled, will be reversed when man shall reign in life eternal.

The Redeemer knows what man will become when the blight made by sin is gone. He understands the end from the beginning. Being from everlasting to everlasting, times do not intervene to limit His comprehension. All time is perpetually present with Him. Then all faculties of man’s nature will be but responsive chords vibrating with the happiness of their Lord. As branches of the True Vine, they bear the foliage and the fruit, and manifest His glory. They will receive and impart His love. The more they are loved, the more lovely they will be. Then love bestowed will be love enstored.

Jesus Satisfied.

The joys which the Lord shall reap in man’s salvation will fully compensate for the sacrifice He has made to save him. For, says the prophet, “He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied.” Isa. 53:11.

When the unnumbered multitude of saints, who will compose the blood-washed throng, shout their gladness in the Celestial City, Jesus will be the source of their joy. He will be the Maker and Dispenser of their gladness. From Him, of Him, and to Him, will be the glory. Their virtues will be shared by Him—yes, more, they will be of Him; and multiplying the number, the redeemed will add to the Redeemer.

The worth of a redeemed soul is incomparable, and of its increase in all that makes it glorious, there will be no end. Who can put a price on the companion of his life, or on the child of his flesh and blood? No one with normal mind would ever try to do such a thing. Much less could the worth of a soul who has received the whole wealth of salvation be limited; for the treasure paid becomes incorporated again in the treasury. Therefore the Saviour’s investment in man’s salvation becomes a means by which He will unceasingly multiply his treasures. WILLIAM COVERT.