The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Natural

  • The Life After

    “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”

    1 Corinthians 13:12

    Some of the great questions of all time deal with what happens after one dies. The Bible, of course, has many clues for us if we will just take the time to read them. The Old Testament saints understood there is a life after death. They often referred to being gathered unto their people and fathers in death (see (Genesis 25:8; 35:29; 49:33; and many more). Consider one event that may help us. It is recorded in three of the four Gospels: The Transfiguration.

    Jesus took Peter, James, and John up into a mountain to pray. “And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering” (Luke 9:29). As Jesus prayed, he was “transfigured” before them (see Matthew 17:2). “30. And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: 31. Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem” (Luke 9:30-31). Moses and Elias (Elijah) were there talking with Jesus about His decease. This word decease means “exit; exodus; (figuratively) death.” Moses and Elijah were speaking to Jesus of the death He was about to accomplish – which is why Jesus came to earth as a man (see Romans 5:8-10; Hebrews 2:14-15; 1 Peter 3:18). Peter, James, and John had fallen asleep. However, when they awoke, they saw Jesus in His glory along with Moses and Elijah.(see Luke 9:32-33).

    Consider the many things that this brief meeting tells us. First, we can understand that there is life after death – for Moses and Elijah had died hundreds of years earlier! More than that, the disciples recognized who they were. Moses and Elijah were known by their personalities (for there was no way they knew what they looked like. There were no pictures of them!). Moses and Elijah are both well known in their character and deeds in the Old Testament. Also note: they were two men. They were still human beings. They had not turned into angels with wings. Remember that Jesus, after His resurrection, was in human form. “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have” (Luke 24:39). Moses and Elijah had bodies much like we will have one day. 1 Corinthians chapter 15 tells us much about this. Especially see the following: “It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body” (1 Corinthians 15:44).

    Moses and Elijah were standing there having a conversation with Jesus. This tells us that they were not in any kind of a “soul-sleep”. They were quite conscious in their conversation! They were having a time of fellowship with Jesus, speaking of his pending death that they knew was about to take place. What Moses and Elijah had spoken of while they lived on this earth was only a foretelling of what Jesus was about to complete. “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:17). Those who put their trust in Jesus will have eternal life. It is the choice of each individual person. “18. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:18-19). Jesus came to save anyone who would believe. However, those who do not believe upon Jesus will have God’s eternal wrath upon them – forever (see John 3:36). This is the second death (see Revelation 21:8).

    We can recognize that Jesus had told His disciples about His pending death shortly before He took them up that mountain. “Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day” (Luke 9:22). However, it seems as if they did not comprehend what it was that Jesus was telling them. It is good to know, that Jesus was able to have a conversation with Moses and Elijah about His pending death. They knew and understood what was about to take place. That is another encouraging insight into the after-life – we will know and understand things that we do not here in this life. “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known” (1 Corinthians 13:12).

    Have you rejected Jesus in this life, only waiting for the eternal wrath of God, the second death?

    Or

    Have you trusted in Jesus in this life, understanding that one day you will know Him even as you are known – for eternity?

    Find out how to trust in Jesus with your life.

  • Who are You?

    “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

    Romans 8:1

    Are you a natural man? The natural man see the things in this earth. Decisions are based upon what is seen or felt. Usually, one considers the abilities one has to accomplish things. The natural man is in the likeness of Adam. “1. This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; 3. And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth” (Genesis 5:1, 3). Did you notice something in those verses? When God made man, He made him in God’s image. However, after man sinned in the garden, his children were after his image – no longer perfect, but now sinful men. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12). Everyone is born as a sinner. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). However, there is hope. “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous” (Romans 5:19). Adam disobeyed God, bringing sin upon all of mankind. God gave One who was perfect, His only Son, who was obedient to God. “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8). Jesus paid the penalty for sin – for anyone who would just believe. “16.For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17.For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:16-18). That is the only work one can do to have the penalty for sin removed. “Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6:29). Believe on Jesus.

    Once one believes on Jesus, having the condemnation of sin removed, we are taught to do something different. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1). One can no longer walk in the flesh as a natural man. We are taught to walk after the Spirit. There is a difference. When one has committed that life to Jesus, there is a change of thought and direction. “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit” (Romans 8:5). This Christian chooses the things of the Spirit.

    Why is this so important? “6. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God… 8. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” (Romans 8:6-9). Each person must look into their heart and life to see if they have truly given that life to God by accepting Jesus. It is then one receives His Spirit, enabling one to live a life that is “spiritually minded”. Without Christ, one remains a natural man, unable to please God, for “they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”

    Once you know without a doubt you belong to Jesus and are “spiritually minded”, there is another question that must be asked. Are you a growing Christian? “1. And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2. 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. 3. For ye are yet carnal…” (1 Corinthians 3:1-3). One who is not a growing Christian can only understand the simplest things about the Bible and the Christian life. To grow, one must read God’s Word and exercise that Christian life. Remember what Paul told Timothy: “6. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 7. But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 8. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:6-8). Christians are to be “nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine” and exercise unto godliness which is “profitable unto all things”. Choose to be a spiritual Christian, nourished in faith and good doctrine, and then exercise unto godliness.

    Who are you? A natural man who cannot please God?

    Or

    Are you a spiritual man who is nourished on God’s Word and exercises unto godliness?

    How to become a spiritual man: How to be saved