Daily Bread – August 9, 2022 (The Third Day – Genesis 1:9-13) 1 Corinthians 2:14 – But the natural man cannot receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolish to him; and he is not able to understand, because they are spiritually discerned. Living In The Spiritual Realm Paul introduces a word in this verse that he will ultimately set everyone’s attention on as a focal point for what should be craved by the saints (1 Corinthians 14:1). The concept he introduces is the spiritual (pnematikos). He reveals to us how this is the realm opposite to the natural (psuchikos). The spiritual realm is the realm in which God lives. It is the eternal realm from which all of the things God possesses flow. The spiritual (pneumatakos) is far more than “spiritual gifts”, for it is from this realm that the spiritual gifts and every other spiritual revelation and manifestation of the character and power of God comes from. It is the realm of purity and everlasting joy, it is the realm of revelation and miracles. It is the realm where we interact with God in the Heavenlies. The natural (psuchikos) is purely earthy, whereas the spiritual (pneumatakos) is purely heavenly (1 Corinthians 15:44, 46). There are many people who have been born of the Spirit who remain unwilling to function in this realm where the Spirit would lead and guide us into everything that is heavenly – a realm where mountains are moved and the supernatural is an everyday reality. It is the realm of the overcomer, of those who walk and live in the Spirit, the realm of the unseen (2 Corinthians 4:18; Romans 8:6; Hebrews 11:1,3). We were born into an earthly realm (psuchikos) full of earthly limitations – a realm that is not necessarily evil, but is confined to human ability. The Lord Jesus opened the door for all mankind to leave this realm of human ability and step over into a place of the unlimited and unrestricted place of the spiritual (pneumatikos). When Abraham attempted to produce the desire and plan of God for his life with Hagar, it was limited by the inability and effort of the human realm. As such it was likened unto Mount Sinai, the place of bondage . But when Abraham and Sarah no longer could rely on human ability because there was no more strength within their own selves, then God worked a miracle by His Spirit and brought about that which the natural man and the natural mind cannot conceive (Galatians 4:21-31). Likewise, those who rely on the Spirit belong to a spiritual and heavenly realm – the New Jerusalem (Galatians 4:26; Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 21:10; Isaiah 40:31) Those who walk in the flesh of human ability (psuchikos) are unable to cooperate with the realm of the Spirit that leads us into the realms of faith superseding all natural laws. The realm of the spiritual provides a relationship with God where nothing is impossible. In this realm men walk on water, turn water to wine, have peace in the midst of a storm, and are made one with God (John 17:21; Matthew 8:8, 14:28). Because this realm is so unlimited – containing all the fullness of God and eternity – even those who are not lacking in any of the gifts (charismata) still have a call to so much more – the spiritual (pneumatikos) (1 Corinthians 1:5-7). Blessings, Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Daily Bread 8/9/2022
