The Spiritual Man

But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 1 Cor. 2:10-12

There are two great spiritual changes which are possible to human experience—the change from the “natural” man to the saved man, and the change from the “carnal” man to the “spiritual” man. The former is divinely accomplished when there is a real faith in Christ; the latter is accomplished when there is a real adjustment to the Spirit. Experientially the one who is saved through faith in Christ, may at the same time wholly yield to God and enter at once a life of true surrender. Doubtless this often the case. He That is Spiritual, L. S. Chafer.

One (salvation) is simplistic, childlike one-time faith; the other (spiritual growth) takes surrendered daily faith. Salvation is easy, since God does all the work. We do nothing, other than agonize over our lost condition, and ask for forgiveness and God does the work through saving faith in Jesus Christ. The second is very different though. The “spiritual” man takes spiritual work on our part. In the day of our salvation, God did all the work. In the days of our growth into the “spiritual” man, we need to do a lot of work. During this growth process, we need the help of God and all He can give us in the spiritual realm to help us to grow. Without God’s help, we are only wishful thinking. This process is cultivated through discipleship; and it won’t happen automatically. We need to engage it in a willful manner.

I heard a message concerning discipleship this week by Dr. Tony Evans. He said that some Christians are in their walk with Christ and are crawling; some are walking, and some are running. He said that depending on your rate of speed will depend on the growth factor. He then said this is why it is possible for a young person to become more mature than a chronologically older person. Most people would tell us it is not that big of a deal, but we would never accept that from our children. Concerning our college degrees; some take ten years to complete a four year degree. Why? It is because people choose to take a class a semester and take their time. Although you may one day complete the degree, it may also coincide with your death date.

The Christian growth process is a gradual but intentional process of maturity so one day you may mature and be able to reproduce in another person what had been accomplished in your life. Your life of submission to Christ and purposeful growth is so strong that your example becomes a model for others to follow. This “adjustment” as referred to by Chafer, is that following of the Spirit of God who can only give you the deep spiritual things that allow you to grow to your God-given potential. This is what is called “true surrender.”