I Cor 2:14-16 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of GOD: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. 1Co 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? God in His Word divides humanity into two categories the saved and the unsaved - those in Christ, and those outside of Christ. But in I Cor 2:9-3:3 the Word of GOD makes a further distinction dividing humanity into three classifications - the natural man, the spiritual man, and the carnal man - according to their ability to receive and understand the Revelation of GOD. There is the natural man - the unregenerated individual - who is governed and influenced by his natural instincts in opposition to being under the control and direction of the Spirit of God. Perceiving not the beauty, or the wisdom of GODS Word, loving other things better, he rejects GODS divinely inspired Revelation refusing to allow the glorious light of the eternal Wisdom of GOD to enter his heart, determining It to be but foolishness. For this reason the natural man has no ability to comprehend the Truth revealed in the Scriptures, for it is spiritually discerned, and holding in contempt the preaching of the Cross, believing it to be but foolishness (I Cor 1:18), he spurns GODS offer of salvation in His only begotten Son the Lord Jesus Christ. Then there are those who have been made new creations in Christ Jesus (II Cor 5:17), who have been enlightened by the Holy Spirit; those who have responded in a positive manner to GODS gracious offer of salvation in Christ Jesus. These are broken down into two divisions - the Christian who is spiritual and the Christian who is carnal. The Word of GOD teaches that there are two great spiritual changes possible in the life of a man who through faith has placed his trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. The spiritual Christian has enjoyed both. The first change involves being made a new man in Christ, whereby one enters into a right relation with GOD through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and having received the gift of eternal life through the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, he passes from spiritual death to spiritual life (Eph 2:1-5), being regenerated by the Holy Spirit through the process of the new birth (Jn 3:7). The second spiritual change concerns the now spiritually alive individuals consecration to his GOD, the offering of his life as a living sacrifice (Rom 12:1-2) his willingness to order his life under the direction and power of the Holy Spirit so as not to fulfill the desires of the flesh (Gal 5:16), whereby he enters into a right relation with GOD the Holy Spirit, being willing to live in submission to the Holy Spirit, he passes from carnality to spirituality and can now press on to spiritual maturity. Being enabled through submission to the Holy Spirit to discern Truths from GODS Word, growing and prospering spiritually, no longer a babe feeding upon the milk of the Word (For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the Word of Righteousness: for he is a babe Heb 5:13), he is now able to correctly handle the Word of Truth being a student workman approved of and profitable to GOD (Study to shew thyself approved unto GOD, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth II Tim 3:15). He can now receive all that GOD offers the one in Christ. The carnal believer, on the other hand, is in the position to receive all of GODS spiritual blessings, but because his desires cling to the fleshly, and although being delivered from the power of darkness, and translated into the Kingdom of GODS dear Son (Col 1:13), he is the opposite of the spiritual Christian. He refuses to submit to the direction and control of the Holy Spirit, and even though a partaker of the grace of GOD in Christ Jesus, he still lives as the natural man according to the dictates of his old fleshly man. Spiritually it seems as if his life has stood still (For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the Oracles of GOD; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat Heb 5:12) as he continues to feed only upon the milk of the Word; therefore, he is spiritually malnourished. For that reason he fails to comprehend the spiritual value of the Revelation of GOD; for that reason he cannot understand the things that are spiritually discerned; for that reason his life is lived to the satisfaction of his own selfish, sinful tendencies, not as a testimony to the glory of GOD. May we who name the Name of Christ never allow our spiritual life to become static; may we never allow our love for our Savior to wain so that we sink into carnality - to become devoted to the flesh. May we ever be pressing (....toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of GOD in Christ Jesus Phil 3:14), continually growing (....up into Him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ Eph 4:15), constantly growing (.... in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen II Pe 3:18).
Posted on: Sat, 09 Nov 2013 15:09:43 +0000
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