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Spiritual Life

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JonC

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There have been several threads lately about “spiritual death”. In discussing the topic I believe that it is necessary to first define terms, starting with “spiritual life”. As @Martin Marprelate pointed out on another thread, darkness is the absence of light. Scripture seems to speak in the same terms (those who are condemned have rejected the Light).

The basis for my definition of spiritual life: I believe Scripture testifies that it is the Spirit who gives life, that the gospel (specifically, Christ) are spirit and are life (John 6), that we are of the Spirit if the Spirit of God dwells in us (Romans 8). I believe that the spiritual is not first, but the natural and then the spiritual (1 Corinthians 15), that the Lord is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3) that this is Christ in us (Romans 8), that the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him (1 Corinthians 6), that God has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts (2 Corinthians 1:22; 2 Timothy 1:14; Isaiah 63; Ezekiel 36; 1 Corinthians 6), that in Christ is life, and this life is the Light of men (John 1:4), that whoever has the Son has the Life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life (1 John 5:12), that we have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable (1 Peter 1:23); that this perishable must put on the imperishable and this mortal must put on immortality (1 Corinthians 15:53).

My definition of spiritual life: So I define “spiritual life” itself as Christ and being “spiritually alive” as being sealed by God with the Spirit of God dwelling in us, that is, Christ in us which is being born again of seed which is imperishable.

The question of the OP: So how do you define spiritual life? How does Scripture define spiritual life?
 

Yeshua1

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There have been several threads lately about “spiritual death”. In discussing the topic I believe that it is necessary to first define terms, starting with “spiritual life”. As @Martin Marprelate pointed out on another thread, darkness is the absence of light. Scripture seems to speak in the same terms (those who are condemned have rejected the Light).

The basis for my definition of spiritual life: I believe Scripture testifies that it is the Spirit who gives life, that the gospel (specifically, Christ) are spirit and are life (John 6), that we are of the Spirit if the Spirit of God dwells in us (Romans 8). I believe that the spiritual is not first, but the natural and then the spiritual (1 Corinthians 15), that the Lord is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3) that this is Christ in us (Romans 8), that the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him (1 Corinthians 6), that God has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts (2 Corinthians 1:22; 2 Timothy 1:14; Isaiah 63; Ezekiel 36; 1 Corinthians 6), that in Christ is life, and this life is the Light of men (John 1:4), that whoever has the Son has the Life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life (1 John 5:12), that we have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable (1 Peter 1:23); that this perishable must put on the imperishable and this mortal must put on immortality (1 Corinthians 15:53).

My definition of spiritual life: So I define “spiritual life” itself as Christ and being “spiritually alive” as being sealed by God with the Spirit of God dwelling in us, that is, Christ in us which is being born again of seed which is imperishable.

The question of the OP: So how do you define spiritual life? How does Scripture define spiritual life?
I would suggest that there would be a definition of spiritual life different pre and post fall, as you are describing since post Fall!
Do you ascribe that we then are spiritual dead before being saved, so born in a sin natured state?
So absence of spiritual life would mean one has just their sin nature state, hence spiritual dead?
 

JonC

Moderator
Moderator
I would suggest that there would be a definition of spiritual life different pre and post fall, as you are describing since post Fall!
Do you ascribe that we then are spiritual dead before being saved, so born in a sin natured state?
So absence of spiritual life would mean one has just their sin nature state, hence spiritual dead?
Why do you believe that there would be two definitions of "spiritual life"?

(I disagree because I believe Christ is the Life, and Christ is God and eternal, so my definition would not fit into yours).
 

Yeshua1

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Why do you believe that there would be two definitions of "spiritual life"?

(I disagree because I believe Christ is the Life, and Christ is God and eternal, so my definition would not fit into yours).
Adam had the life of god in Him when created, as was in a sinless state, and was in spiritual right relationship with God!
 

JonC

Moderator
Moderator
Adam had the life of god in Him when created, as was in a sinless state, and was in spiritual right relationship with God!
So you believe that "spiritual life" means something different pre-fall (to Adam when he was created) than it does to us and and for eternity hereafter??

How do you explain Scripture's claim that God is immutable, and John's claim that Christ was always this Life (in John 1)?
 

Yeshua1

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So you believe that "spiritual life" means something different pre-fall (to Adam when he was created) than it does to us and and for eternity hereafter??

How do you explain Scripture's claim that God is immutable, and John's claim that Christ was always this Life (in John 1)?
Adam did not need a messiah before he fell, as was in perfect obedience to God and in spiritual relationship with Him directly!
 

JonC

Moderator
Moderator
Adam did not need a messiah before he fell, as was in perfect obedience to God and in spiritual relationship with Him directly!
That is not the question. The question is how we define spiritual life. I believe that Scripture defines spiritual life one way - that is Jesus Christ, and being spiritually alive is being in Him, sealed with His Spirit.

Show us in Scripture another definition (a pre-fall definition).

Thanks.
 

Yeshua1

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Site Supporter
That is not the question. The question is how we define spiritual life. I believe that Scripture defines spiritual life one way - that is Jesus Christ, and being spiritually alive is being in Him, sealed with His Spirit.

Show us in Scripture another definition (a pre-fall definition).

Thanks.
means and ability to have spiritual relationship with God, to be in a covenant relationship with him, as Adam was pre fall!
 

JonC

Moderator
Moderator
means and ability to have spiritual relationship with God, to be in a covenant relationship with him, as Adam was pre fall!
Was Israel in a Covenant relationship with God?

The things you mention are a part of what those who have spiritual life enjoy.

But are you saying spiritual life is fellowship with God?
 

Yeshua1

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Was Israel in a Covenant relationship with God?

The things you mention are a part of what those who have spiritual life enjoy.

But are you saying spiritual life is fellowship with God?
Just saying that having a real Covenant relationship with God would be in possession of Eternal Life!
 

Yeshua1

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So Abraham either had spiritual life when leaving Ur or that covenant relationship was fake?
he was not yet in a Covenant relationship though, remember when God walked between the cut up animals?
 

JonC

Moderator
Moderator
he was not yet in a Covenant relationship though, remember when God walked between the cut up animals?
So you believe when God walked between the cut up animals and entered into the covenant with Abraham he received spiritual life?
 

Yeshua1

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So you believe when God walked between the cut up animals and entered into the covenant with Abraham he received spiritual life?
I believe that OT experience of the Holy Spirit not exactly same as ours, as their sins were remitted them, passed over by God, but not sure that they had the Holy Spirit indwelling them as we do now under NC!
 

JonC

Moderator
Moderator
I believe that OT experience of the Holy Spirit not exactly same as ours, as their sins were remitted them, passed over by God, but not sure that they had the Holy Spirit indwelling them as we do now under NC!
I agree. I think the issue is mostly one of definition (we agree on a lot here but define terms differently).
 

Yeshua1

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I agree. I think the issue is mostly one of definition (we agree on a lot here but define terms differently).
Abraham and Moses and David all had spiritual life in the way God had them experience that while under the OC....
 

JonC

Moderator
Moderator
Abraham and Moses and David all had spiritual life in the way God had them experience that while under the OC....
I disagree (I believe they looked forward to that time, that this Life is the Promise that was to come).
 

Yeshua1

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I disagree (I believe they looked forward to that time, that this Life is the Promise that was to come).
Under the Old Covenant, they had their sins remitted, and were in right standing with God, so would receive the promised Eternal Life when we get glorified in Jesus Christ.
 

JonC

Moderator
Moderator
Under the Old Covenant, they had their sins remitted, and were in right standing with God, so would receive the promised Eternal Life when we get glorified in Jesus Christ.
I believe there is only one definition of spiritual life (Christ) and being spirituality alive is "Christ in us". So prior to the work of Christ (prior to Christ becoming "a life giving Spirit") I do not believe it correct to say these men were spiritually alive.
 

Yeshua1

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Site Supporter
I believe there is only one definition of spiritual life (Christ) and being spirituality alive is "Christ in us". So prior to the work of Christ (prior to Christ becoming "a life giving Spirit") I do not believe it correct to say these men were spiritually alive.
they had sins remitted by God, and were a real relationship with Him though!
 
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