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The difference is quite simple: The “spiritual” man is allowing his godly, reborn spirit which is in
association with God’s Holy Spirit to control his soul life. His spirit rules over his soul life and his
soul rules over his body. His spirit is holy and righteous and complete in Christ. When it dictates the
direction of life, then it follows after Christ. It does not follow after “self” life. Rather, Jesus Christ
rules this life in the spirit and the spirit causes the soul life and body life to line up with the Life of
Jesus Christ. This the bible calls “walking in the spirit”.
When the world looks at such a man, they know or sense he or she is a follower of Jesus Christ. His
actions line up with the life of Jesus Christ. His life is given over to God; his desires are all towards
God. He has followed Romans 12:1 and given his life as a living sacrifice to God. Daily he takes up
his cross and follows the Lord. His self-life does not rule his life nor determine his actions. Jesus
Christ rules his life!
Such a person is not interested in titles or position or acclaim or honor. They want to point people to
God that God might be honored in all their life. His only desire is to do the will of the Father just like
Jesus did. Over and over we see Jesus saying he did what the Father was doing; he said what the
Father was saying. He did nothing of himself.
The spiritual man walks in the same way that Jesus walked with the Father. He desires that in all
ways he walks as Jesus is leading him. He abides in the vine just as Jesus tells us in the gospel of
John.
John 15:4-6 (RSV) "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it
abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5I am the vine, you are the branches. He
who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing
[nothing that the Father is interested in!!]. 6If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch
and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned."
It is all about abiding and receiving our life from the vine. Then when we speak, we speak life to
people. Otherwise we just bring them law and death. But when we abide in the vine, we bring life to
all who hear us.
*****End of Lesson*****
association with God’s Holy Spirit to control his soul life. His spirit rules over his soul life and his
soul rules over his body. His spirit is holy and righteous and complete in Christ. When it dictates the
direction of life, then it follows after Christ. It does not follow after “self” life. Rather, Jesus Christ
rules this life in the spirit and the spirit causes the soul life and body life to line up with the Life of
Jesus Christ. This the bible calls “walking in the spirit”.
When the world looks at such a man, they know or sense he or she is a follower of Jesus Christ. His
actions line up with the life of Jesus Christ. His life is given over to God; his desires are all towards
God. He has followed Romans 12:1 and given his life as a living sacrifice to God. Daily he takes up
his cross and follows the Lord. His self-life does not rule his life nor determine his actions. Jesus
Christ rules his life!
Such a person is not interested in titles or position or acclaim or honor. They want to point people to
God that God might be honored in all their life. His only desire is to do the will of the Father just like
Jesus did. Over and over we see Jesus saying he did what the Father was doing; he said what the
Father was saying. He did nothing of himself.
The spiritual man walks in the same way that Jesus walked with the Father. He desires that in all
ways he walks as Jesus is leading him. He abides in the vine just as Jesus tells us in the gospel of
John.
John 15:4-6 (RSV) "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it
abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5I am the vine, you are the branches. He
who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing
[nothing that the Father is interested in!!]. 6If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch
and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned."
It is all about abiding and receiving our life from the vine. Then when we speak, we speak life to
people. Otherwise we just bring them law and death. But when we abide in the vine, we bring life to
all who hear us.
*****End of Lesson*****
