Normal or Natural?

 

Normal or Natural?

Today we will research what it is to be a Normal Christian and not live in the Natural.

So then, what exactly is a Normal Christian? We usually think first – what a Christian does – or does not do.

1. We begin by understanding that according to Luke 10:27 we are to 'Love the Lord God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our strength and with all our mind'; and, 'Love our neighbor as our-self.'

2. Reads his Bible daily.

3. Prays some sort of prayer - - (usually bless me, my family and supply all our needs.)

4. Attends church at least once a week if it suits his fancy.
   
   All this seems like the natural thing that a Christian does and it is what he should do.

   However God has a different definition of a Normal Believer.

   
   We were born in the natural world, that surrounds us. Our human nature at birth is that of a natural person – with a tendency to want our own way, to be selfish and only think about ourselves. How we can be comfortable and how to be entertained.

Ephesians 2:3 states that by Nature we were children of wrath, however there is a change that takes place when we invite Jesus into our Heart (or spirit). The spiritual death that possessed Adam when he sinned was passed on to all mankind, and we were spiritually dead the moment we were born on this earth. Jesus transforms the person who comes to Him by imparting Eternal Life and our spiritually dead spirit comes alive IN Christ Jesus.

We are changed in our spirit by Everlasting life that is deposited into us when Jesus comes to abide in us because Jesus is LIFE. He lifts us out from darkness into His Marvelous Light. God's desire is to continually change us into the image of His dear Son. He wants to reveal to us His mysteries and His secrets in order that He may use us to touch others.

1 Corinthians chapter 2 speaks of the Natural man not receiving the things of God, because they are foolishness to him, neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned.

Here we need to examine the importance of meeting God early in your secret place and praying in the Holy Ghost (your prayer language) in order to build up your Spirit man.

The natural man will rebel – because to him it is uncomfortable and time consuming. He will make excuses, and question that all this is not necessary and he can serve god his way which is easier. But God reminds us that the things of the Spirit are foolishness to the natural man.

Reading from 1 Corinthians 2:9-11 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.

For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him?

 Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the [d]Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 
For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Becoming a spiritual person is not instant. There is a renewing of the mind that must take place, by a washing of the Word as we read and study our Bible, and actively seek after God to KNOW HIM.

The spiritual person does not become spiritual by associating with other spiritual persons hoping it will rub off on them. Each believer must establish their relationship with Father God on a personal basis. This occurs as you; ASK - - SEEK - - KNOCK while in your secret place. You will be lifted into Glory by Glory as you are enveloped in God's Holy presence.

2 Peter chapter 1 encourages us to become a Partaker of His Divine Nature. “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world.”

How can you tell a Natural man from a Spiritual man? The answer is simple. Listen to their WORDS. The natural man wallows in self pity and invites others to join the pity party. He uses words of defeat and discouragement.

The spiritual man enters the secret place humbly knowing that he is nothing, understanding that he is less and not more, that he is weak, helpless and not worthy, and unable to forgive others and he throws himself on God's mercy and grace. There at the throne, he receives unmerited favor and when he leaves the secret place he is no longer helpless, but walks in confidence, boldness, forgiving others freely, and with the assurance that he goes in God's strength, empowered with the Holy Spirit and clothed with the Righteousness of Jesus. He confesses with his mouth that through Christ Jesus, and the power in His Name, I shall overcome and I will not be defeated.

So what is it going to be?

Today, let us make our declarations that we will become the Normal Spiritual person that God is inviting us to be. We shall be a partaker of all He offers to us in Christ Jesus. We will make that quality decision to daily spend time with God in our secret place as we bow before Him submitting to God's will and His direction for our lives.