KINDS OF PEOPLE ON EARTH (Part 3)
“For if you live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live” (Romans 8:13)
INTRODUCTION: - Although born-again Christians have received the new life of God’s Spirit, they still have the presence of the sinful human nature with its pull toward rebellion against God (Gal.5:16-21). This sinful nature cannot be made good; it must be put to death spiritually – mortified (Rom.6:6; Gal.2:20; 5:24) and overcome through the help and power of God’s Spirit (Rom.8:13). Christ followers overcome their human nature by denying themselves daily (Lk.9:23-24; Rom.8:12-13; Tit.2:12).
LESSON OUTLINES
Distinction Among Christians
The Spiritual Christians
These are Spirit-filled followers of Christ (Jh.3:5; Rom.8:9; 1Corint.6:19; 2Corint.1:22; 1Jh.4:13). They are not after the demonstration of the Holy Spirit’s gift, they are more particular on bearing fruits of the Holy Spirit (Gal.5:22-24). They live daily a God centered, spiritually focused life that reflects the evidence of the fruit of the Holy Spirit in-dwelling them. This lifestyle is identified by Christ-like, godly character or manliness that is produced and developed in Christians as they allow the Holy Spirit to direct and influence their lives. Through the Holy Spirit’s Power, Christians are able to overcome and destroy sin’s power-particularly the acts of the sinful nature, and to enjoy the benefits of their personal relationship with God (Rom.8:5-14). The spiritual Christians were not made automatically, but they through their submission and surrender to the Holy Spirit are transformed from carnal and worldly Christian to Spiritual. These they do by
Self Denial: - This is what must be done on a daily basis (Mtt.16:24, Lk.9:23). This requires putting aside all selfish desires and ambitions, rather choosing God’s way and accepting His will (Tit.2:12)
Self Discipline: - Truly temptation must come (Lk.17:1) forever Jesus Christ our Lord was tempted in all points, yet without sin (Heb.4:15), a spiritual Christian will use self-discipline to avoid and resist all sinful temptation (1Corint.9:27, Rom.13:14; Gal.5:16; 1Pt.2:11)
Submission: -Spiritual Christians make a willful and definite choice to remove from their lives anything that could compromise their relationship with God or cause them to defy or displease Him (Heb.12:1) by submitting their desires, will and purposes to god, choosing rather to do His will always (H.7:17; Ps.40:8; 143:10; Mtt.26:42; Jh.5:30; Heb.13:21).
Self-Crucifixion: - By the power of the Holy Spirit within them, Christians wage war against the sinful nature (Rom.8:13-14; Gal.5:16-18), crucifying it (Gal.5:24) and mortifying or putting it to death daily (Col.3:5). In fact, they consider themselves “dead to sin” i.e. free from its control and unresponsive to its influence (Rom.6:11).
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
By the process of self-denial and total surrendering to the Holy Spirit’s purifying and developing work, Christians are set free from the power and control of their sinful nature (Rom.6:13; Gal.5:16). As they surrender to the Holy Spirit, He lead them to think, speak and act in accordance to the principles, standards and examples of God’s Word. Thus, helping them to follow and accomplish God’s purposes and overcome the sinful nature and to always be in agreement with the written Word of God. In this way, Christians can truly live.
QUESTIONS
Describe a spiritual Christian. What steps must one take to become a spiritual Christian?