“Beyond all the range
of human knowledge there are many things “which eye hath not seen, nor ear
heard, neither have entered into the heart of man… but God hath revealed them
unto us by his Spirit.” However, such truth is revealed by the Spirit only to
spiritual Christians. To some who were truly saved the Apostle wrote: “And I,
brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even
as unto babes in Christ, I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for
hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able” (1 Cor. 3:1,
2). This is a sad disclosure of the state of some believers. Though born again
and possessing the Spirit, their carnality of life precludes them from
understanding, or progressing in, the “deep things of God.” He That is
Spiritual, L. S. Chafer.
When fleshly Christian men gain education through the Bible,
their lifestyle precludes them from understanding and even progressing in their
Christian life. They never attain the knowledge of the “deeper things of God.” When they take the time to look into the
Scriptures, they find themselves frustrated and exhausted in their search. But
other Spirit led Christians who have no formal education within the Bible will
find a life-spring of eternal water. It’s much like drinking from flowing fresh
water each time they encounter the Word of God.
Here’s the problem for those who live in the fleshly realm:
Those who search, find no new discovery or revelation of truth. When they search
the Bible it is either through a sense of duty to read, if they ever pick it up
to read. The truth here is not that there is some new pleasure each time the spiritual
Christian reads, but to find some new
knowledge, or ignorance; obedience or disobedience to understand and correct.
It may even be the discovery of a new power, weakness; helpfulness, or
hurtfulness in the life and testimony of the one who, because of the indwelling
Spirit, might be coming to know and to impart to others something of the boundless
truth of God (Chafer).
And the thing is no human intellect can cure this problem or
defect. The root problem is the person’s carnality or fleshliness. When it is corrected,
the eyes of the heart can now be opened to reveal a new sense of purpose and
life which can only be imparted to the one who desires the spiritual life as opposed to a carnal
or fleshly life.
Christian growth and the
deeper knowledge of the truth are to be distinguished from spirituality. It is
possible to be filled with the Spirit when immature in growth, experience and
understanding. Christian growth is largely conditioned on the study of the
Word, prayer and service; while spirituality does not wait on these things, but
is conditioned upon immediate adjustments to the Spirit. Since the Spirit is
always our Teacher, it is imperative that we always remain teachable. We should
be willing to humbly hear His voice through any and every instrument
(Chafer).
To sum it all up is this: We are spiritual when we become God’s
(He comes to live in us). This is fact of the saving power of Jesus Christ. Jesus
died and made us spiritual when we experienced conversion through the sacrifice
on the cross. Whether we decide to grow into understanding that spiritual
condition is entirely up to us turning our lives completely over to the Spirit to
have His way with our lives each and every day. To do otherwise is to turn to
carnality and fleshliness and experiencing frustration with our lives.
Christian, which life appeals here on earth? One with
frustration and exhaustion? Or one filled with new truths and joy which can
only be imparted through the relationship with Jesus Christ? It’s up to you…
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