Prof. Johan Malan, Mossel Bay, South Africa (May 2011)
In God’s creation humans are unique beings. However, due to the consequences of the Fall they first have to come to a deeper self-discovery and experience a second, spiritual birth before they will be able to realise their full potential. This is the only way in which they can live up to the expectations of their Maker. Three basic questions should be asked and answers given: (1) What is the nature of human beings? (2) What is the upward call of God which should be pursued? and (3) How should humans be changed to be able to serve their divine purpose?
As regards the body human beings are part of the natural creation which is subjected to a cycle of birth, growth, maturity, ageing and death. Their physical abilities for survival are weaker than those of most animals since their strength, speed, organ of smell, sight, ability to defend themselves, and bodily protection against the elements are relatively weak. They have to be ingenious to survive in the natural world, and in this way their vast mental abilities become evident. What humans do with the body is the overt demonstration of decisions taken with the spirit (heart) and mind. The physical life cycle of humans is only the first phase of an eternal existence which they will, after this first phase, lead in immortal bodies.
As regards the soul – that is the will, intelligence, emotions and self-consciousness – humans are far above the animal kingdom. A human is not characterised by stereotyped, hereditary patterns of behaviour but has the ability to think creatively and for this reason is called Homo sapiens – Thinking man. The poorly developed soul of the highest primates in the animal kingdom does not even closely resemble that of humans. Because of their high mental capacity humans are able to create culture through which provision is made for their multiple social, political, educational and economic needs. Great technological advances have been made and also many languages developed to facilitate communication. A great number of cultural groups (peoples), nations and civilisations have been established in different parts of the world, in accordance with each group’s own needs and values. Despite all these structures and traditions, every individual still has a substantial degree of personal choice, although all people are morally and legally accountable to other members of society for their actions. Individuals are not allowed to radically move outside the parameters of socially acceptable behaviour. Humans are conscious of moral values and therefore able to discern between right and wrong. However, the highest and most noble moral norms are not imposed by human societies but by God in His Word.
As regards the spirit human beings are absolutely unique since they have been created in the image of God. Because of this attribute, humans will live forever in spite of their mortal physical bodies. After their death they will receive incorruptible resurrection bodies. Human beings’ spiritual conformity to the image of the Creator does not refer to God’s natural attributes such as His omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence, but to His moral attributes such as goodness, love, righteousness and holiness. We do not become little gods but are commanded to have a blameless, divine character. The Lord says to all people: “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Pet. 1:16). Humans therefore are not only accountable to other people for their conduct but in the final instance to God. Since God has supreme authority in the universe, and He expects to be glorified by his creatures, the correct spiritual disposition of humans should be the highest priority of their lives. Their spiritual convictions must form the framework and provide the principles in terms of which the soul can function and their bodies can act. The honouring of God’s moral norms is the foundation for righteousness, while contravening them is described as sin. Those who live in accordance with the principles of God’s righteousness will for ever have a share in His kingdom, but unrepentant sinners bring the wrath of God upon themselves. A grievous future in the kingdom of darkness awaits them, where all rebels against God, because of their own doing, even now find themselves.
A great tragedy for the entire human race occurred when our first parents were disobedient to God by heeding the devil’s advice (Gen. 2:17; 3:4-6). Because of this rebellion they immediately died spiritually and also physically became mortal people. Due to their spiritual mortality they were no longer conformed to God’s image of holiness and did not behave in His likeness. Under the influence of the devil they developed a depraved, sinful nature which was also transmitted to all their posterity (Rom. 5:12). Although fallen humanity is spiritually dead, humans remain spiritual beings who are susceptible to influences of a spiritual nature. The spiritual darkness within which they live, explains their lack of discernment and the fact that they will rather accept evil influences than good ones. They are, therefore, easy victims to spiritual deception and a dead form of godliness.
There is only one solution to this problem and that is to be spiritually born again whereby God’s image of holiness and righteousness can be restored in people. Fallen humanity must be quickened spiritually and that can only be done through the intervention of the Holy Spirit. The Lord Jesus said to Nicodemus: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). We have all died spiritually because of Adam’s sin but through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross we can be quickened in our spirit when we repent.
The spirit of human beings represents the centre or core of their existence, i.e. the heart and deepest convictions. When changes occur on this level one’s whole life is transformed. During the Fall a dark shadow was cast upon the spirit and soul of people and instilled in them a depraved self-image. The Lord was no longer on the throne of their hearts and consequently this position was taken up by the flesh or sinful human nature, thus rendering them the masters of their own destiny. The lust of the flesh reigned supreme in their lives and they abandoned themselves to it. In this way sin proliferated in their lives. This process was supported and accelerated by the devil’s temptations, leading to an increase in sin. People’s bodies were put to the service of their sinful lusts to give expression to them. Soon they became slaves of sin.
The consequences of sin further expanded and gave rise to the establishment of false religions and pagan cultures as well as covetous and warlike nations who were intent on dominating or destroying one another. Various apostate world governments emanated from these evil inclinations, leading to widespread idolatry and the exploitation and oppression of others.
This vicious circle can only be broken when the heart, which is the control centre of a person’s being, is changed by the Lord for the good. Through rebirth a person must be radically changed so that God’s image can be restored in his life. When this process is further continued and is shared by many people it can be the beginning of Christian reforms in society.
Each of us has an upward call of God in Christ Jesus. At our salvation we are called from the darkness of a lost state to the marvellous light of the new life in Christ. Continuously we are urged to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to increase in holiness until the Lord Jesus is fully manifested in us. This is a work which the Lord does for us but we should also actively pursue it. It calls for a disposition of self-denial and full surrender on our side, as well as the dedicated following of Christ. Paul says:
“But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. But indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in Him… that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:7-14).
When I wish to pursue a life of increasing conformity to God a cross of self-denial must be taken up, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world (Gal. 6:14; Luke 9:23). I should completely identify with the death of the Lord Jesus in order to have an unimpeded share in His resurrection life. Before the old life (the flesh) has been crucified I cannot really walk in the Spirit and please God. “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish” (Gal. 5:17). But if I am prepared to die with Christ I will also live with Him (Rom. 6:5). I will then be on the road towards increased perfection, and also worthy to share in the blessing of the first resurrection at the rapture (Luke 14:14; 1 Thess. 4:16-17). This is the upward call of God to us. If we make progress on this road we will appear with boldness before the judgement seat of Christ after the resurrection of the just and, as His bride, rule with Him in His kingdom (2 Tim. 4:8; Rom. 8:17; Rev. 20:6).
The question is not only whether you are born again and made alive spiritually, but whether you share in the resurrection life of the Lord Jesus to such an extent that you can testify of the blessing of complete sanctification? “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it” (1 Thess. 5:23-24). To be able to receive this blessing I must die with Christ so I can also fully live with Him through the power of the Holy Spirit.
I need to be inwardly renewed before I will know and do the will of God. This is the only way in which I can die to the principles of the old life and the world, and become conformed to the holy nature of God: “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:1-2). Paul also says, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification… He who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit” (1 Thess. 4:3,8).
Unfortunately, many Christians continue to live by the flesh and to do works that have no value for eternity (1 Cor. 3:1-3). These works will be consumed like wood, hay and straw before the judgement seat of Christ as they were not done through the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 3:11-15). Let us be earnest in our commitment to daily observe the upward call by which Christ has called us. He does not only wish to save our souls from perdition, but to transform us into useful disciples, as well as faithful members of His bridal congregation who will one day be worthy to rule with Him.
When my spirit has been regenerated and filled with the Spirit of God I can walk in the light of His presence. This light will also shine upon my soul and ensure that I have enlightened eyes of the mind to discern righteousness from evil and also to fully comprehend the mysteries of God’s plan of salvation. That will enable me in every situation of my life to walk in the light. My body will no longer be in the service of sin but in the service of God’s righteousness. I am called upon to commit myself to the new life through dedicated Bible study and prayer, “so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well-fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Amplified Bile).