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  • Writer's pictureGod's People Church
    • Aug 10, 2019

3 Kinds of People

Updated: Aug 12, 2019

BASIC DIVISION: Scripture typically divides all humans into classes

Definition: (Greek)

1. of or belonging to breath

a. having the nature and characteristics of the breath

- the principal of animal life, which men have in common with the brutes

b. governed by breath

- the sensuous nature with its subjection to appetite and passion


The natural, or nonspiritual, man/woman[a] identifies the unregenerate person, i.e. one governed mere natural instincts[b]. This kind of person does not have the H.S.[c], is under Satan's dominion[d], and is enslaved to the body and its passions[e]. He or She belongs to the world, is in sympathy with i[f] and rejects the things of the Spirit[g]. The nonspiritual person is not able to understand God and his ways, but instead relies on human reasoning or emotions.

c: | Romans 8:9 |

d: | Acts 26:18 |

f: | James 4:4 |

 

Definition: (Greek)

1. relating to the human spirit, or rational soul, as part of the man which is akin to God and serves as his instrument or organ

a. that which possesses the nature of the rational soul

2. belonging to a spirit, or a being higher than man but inferior to God

3. belonging to the Divine Spirit

a. of God the Holy Spirit

b. one who is filled with and governed by the Spirit of God

4. pertaining to the wind or breath; windy, exposed to the wind, blowing


The spiritual man/woman identifies the regenerated person, i.e. one who has the Holy Spirit. This person is spiritually minded, thinks the thoughts of God[a] and lives by the Spirit of God[b]. Such an individual believes in Jesus Christ, strives to follow the leading of the indwelling Spirit, and resists sensual desires and sin's dominion[c].


How does one become a spiritual man/woman? When a person accepts by faith the salvation through Christ, he or she is regenerated; the Holy Spirit imparts to him or her a new nature by an infusion of divine life[a]. He or she is born again[b], renewed[c], and made a new creation[d], and recipient of God's righteousness through faith in Christ[e].

 

FURTHER DISTINCTION AMONG CHRISTIANS

Although born again believers receive the new life of the Spirit, they retain the sinful nature with its evil inclinations[a]. The sinful nature that remains in them cannot be made good, it must be put to death and overcome through the Spirit's power and grace[b]. Believers overcome by denying themselves daily[c] removing every hindrance or sin[d], and resisting all sinful temptations[e]. By the power of the Spirit believers themselves wage war against the sinful nature[f], crucify it[g] and put it to death daily[h]. By this process of self - denial and yielding to the Holy Spirit's sanctifying work, they will be set free from the power of their sinful nature and live as spiritual Christians[i].

 

Definition: (Greek)

1: fleshly, carnal

a. having the nature of flesh, i.e. under the control of the animal appetites

a1. governed by mere human nature not by the Spirit of God

a2. having its seat in the animal nature or aroused by the animal nature

a3. human: with the included idea of depravity

b. pertaining to the flesh

a1. to the body: related to birth, linage, etc


Not all Christians make the required effort to fully overcome the sinful nature. In addressing the Corinthians, Paul notes[a] that some of them are behaving in a worldly or nonspiritual manner; instead of consistently resisting the inclinations of their sinful nature, they yielded to at least some of them. Although they were not living in persistent disobedience, they were in the process of compromising with the world, the sinful nature and the devil in some areas of their lives, while still wanting to remain a part of God's people.[b]

1. The condition of worldly Christians. Although sin and rebellion were not the rule in their lives, nor had they entered into the serious immorality and unrighteousness that would separate them from God's kingdom[a], these worldly Christians were behaving in such a way that they were no longer growing on grace, acting as if they were new converts who did not yet understand the full implication of salvation in Christ[b]. Their worldliness was expressed in "jealousy and quarreling"[c] They were indifferent to and tolerant of immorality within the church[d]. They didn't take God's Word or his apostle with utmost seriousness[e]. They were going to law courts over trivial matters[f]. Note that Paul considers the Corinthians who had entered into sexual immorality or other gross sins to be excluded altogether from salvation in Christ[g].



2. The perils of worldly Christians. These worldly Corinthian Christians were in danger of being led astray from sincere devotion to Christ[a] and being more and more conformed to the world[b]. Because of this, they would be chastened and judge by the Lord, and if they continued to conform to the world, they would ultimately be excluded from God's kingdom[c]. In fact, spiritual death had already occurred for some of them who had committed fragrant sin leading to spiritual death[d].



3. The warnings to worldly Christians.


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