NEWNESS OF LIFE

"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin" (Rom 6:4-6)

Devotion 5 of 11

THE IMPOTENCE OF THE NATURAL MAN
What is a "natural man?"

The "natural man" is the man confined to nature. Adam Clark observes, "The animal man--the man who is in a state of nature, and lives under the influence of his animal passions." This is well stated, and precisely reflects the meaning of the word translated "natural". This identifies the individual motivated and controlled by the lower part of his nature. In other words, the one that does not walk in the Spirit or have fellowship with God's Son, Jesus Christ the Lord (1 Cor. 1:9). In Scripture "natural" is the opposite of "spiritual" (1 Cor 15:44,46). In 1 Corinthians 15, "natural" is the issue of Adam, while "spiritual" is the issue of Christ Jesus.

The Word of God speaks about the "natural man." "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" (1 Cor 2:14). While the meaning of this text may appear obvious, it is not viewed consistently by professed scholars of Scripture. Many feel that its meaning is confined to Paul's defense of his Apostleship. To such, the meaning of the text is this: "God has revealed His purpose in Christ to us Apostles. This marvelous wisdom could not be attained by those wise in the world. Unless revealed to us, it simply could not be known. But once made known in Scripture, it can be discerned with our natural faculties." That there is an element of truth in this position cannot be denied; that it exhausts the meaning of this text is emphatically denied. Those who espouse this view consider the text wrested when applied to all unregenerate men.

Examining the text

An examination of the text will show the deficiency of this opinion. First, the point under consideration is not receiving a message, but discerning the message! Paul tells us where he received his message, and how he delivers it: "combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words" (2:13). This very procedure conceals the message from those living in the flesh. All who are confined to a state of nature cannot comprehend a message that reveals spiritual things in spiritual words! The NIV says that "the man without the Spirit does not ACCEPT the things that come from God."

That Paul refers to the Corinthians themselves is clarified by the next chapter. "Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly . . . " (1 Cor. 3:1, NIV). Their blatant carnality had rendered them incapable of discerning the saving message of Christ! They could not correctly evaluate the message of God because of their spiritual condition. "The spiritual man," and ONLY the spiritual man, "makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgments" (2:15, NIV).

The reason for Paul's discernment of the message was not his Apostleship, but his spirituality! We know this is the case because of other Apostolic experiences. For instance, Peter and the other Apostles did not discern the extent of the message on the day of Pentecost. Salvation was offered to the entire world at that time (Acts 2:39). Yet, it was over a decade later that they concluded, after considerable discussion, the Gospel could be preached to the Gentiles (Acts 14 15). The remnants of the "old man" had robbed them of what later became obvious to them. This is not an indictment of them, but an acknowledgment of a general condition found in every believer.

The "spiritual man"

A "spiritual man" is one walking and living "in the Spirit." It is his possession of and submission to the Holy Spirit of God that makes him discerning. When Paul says "now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God," He is not limiting the matter to the Apostolic office. The reason for the reception of the Spirit was not to simply permit an awareness of what God has prepared for us. Rather, it enabled the recipient to "UNDERSTAND the gifts bestowed on us by God" (2:12, RSV).

As an Apostle, he faithfully imparted this knowledge, but he did so in special words, "words taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who possess the Spirit" (2:13, RSV). Those possessing the Spirit ("spiritual") will perceive what he has said. Those without the Spirit ("natural") will not comprehend the glory of the message. This condition does not exist because of a legal prohibition, but because of an unavoidable circumstance.

The realm of nature is one in which spiritual progress can neither be attained nor developed. It is the realm of the Spirit--the realm of newness--that is the only habitat conducive to receiving from God!

The insistence that this passage is confined to a defense of Paul's Apostleship reveals a deficient view of the nature of salvation. God is calling a people out of nature and into the Spirit. The experience of salvation constitutes one a stranger and pilgrim in the world. We are being summoned to heaven, to obtain a better country, that is, a heavenly. At every point "nature" is confronted, it is to be brought into subjection. It is never to be allowed dominance, which results in the forfeiture of heavenly benefit.

PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ, I thank and praise You for bringing to be what nature can neither bring nor comprehend.

-- TOMORROW: REBIRTH AND REGENERATION --