Part 5 of 12 –

“If any man have not the SPIRIT OF CHRIST he is none of his” (Rom 8:9b

 

God is the eternal (invisible) Spirit” (Heb 9:14) that became clothed in the human flesh body of Jesus of Nazareth (John 1:14). Then He became purely spirit again by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead when “the Lord” Jesus became “that Spirit” (2Cor 3:17a), but Jesus was not a naked spirit, He was now “clothed” in a spirit-body, just as all believers will one day be likewise “clothed.”

2 Corinthians 5:1-6 (AMP) FOR WE (believers) know that if the tent (our physical body) which is our earthly home is destroyed (dissolved), we have from God a building, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ² Here indeed, in this [present abode, body], we sigh and groan inwardly, because we yearn to be clothed over [we yearn to put on our celestial body like a garment, to be fitted out] with our heavenly dwelling, ³ So that by putting it on we may not be found naked (without a body). ⁴ For while we are still in this tent, we groan under the burden and sigh deeply (weighed down, depressed, oppressed)—not that we want to put off the body (the clothing of the spirit), but rather that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal (our dying body) may be swallowed up by life [after the resurrection]. ⁵ Now He Who has fashioned us [preparing and making us fit] for this very thing is God, Who also has given us the [Holy] Spirit as a guarantee [of the fulfillment of His promise]. ⁶ So then, we are always full of good and hopeful and confident courage; we know that while we are at home in the body, we are abroad from the home with the Lord [that is promised us].

In order to understand “the Spirit” as personally relating to the believer we must first clearly understand how God is eternally a “spirit” being. We must look closer at God who “is spirit.”

“God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24 (NASB).

The translators of the NASB (New American Standard Bible) have here above properly used the lower case “s” for the word “spirit.” John is not here saying “God is the Holy Spirit,” but rather that God is made of “spirit” as His substance. The KJV has this verse “God is a spirit.” The KJV italicizes the word “is” because it was added and not in the Greek text. Actually still, this phrase is better seen as it appears in the NASB and NIV and in others versions that have the phrase “God is spirit.”

God, before Jesus was incarnated, was purely an invisible spirit, not physical; today, after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, God is again not a physical being per se’. Jesus now is the resurrected Lord God and today He possesses a spirit-body, one that can pass through doors (John 20:26). The word “spirit” in John 4:24 simply speaks of the substance of God, as wood may be the substance of a table, or as a ring may be made of gold. This verse simply indicates God’s material is spirit; and then that true worshippers must function in that spirit realm in order to commune with Him. That’s why God created mankind with “the spirit of man (Zechariah 12:1).

Also, “spirit” here is not a title. There is no basis here for capitalizing the word “spirit.” This text is simply telling us of God is not physical, but rather He is “spirit,” and… “those who worship Him must worship Him in and with their spirit” (paraphrased). We may offer reverence to the Lord by the attitude of our body, but actually, we do not and in fact cannot really worship or engage the Lord physically; it must be spirit to Spirit. Upon seeing this fact and truth, then we realize that our relationship with God must be as spirit to Spirit - our human spirit God’s Spirit, as seen in the verses here below. This spirit union was established in the news birth…Spirit to spirit.

God initiates communion with men Spirit to spirit. John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Reborn believers may then maintain ongoing communion with the Lord… spirit to Spirit. Thus John 4:24 says we as the real “worshippers of God must worship him in and by our spirit.” Then also live our lives ought to be lived in accord with Christ’s Spirit, living and moving within our spirit. Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Note here that Paul says he served God with his spirit; no doubt as he was led in life by the Spirit of Christ. Romans 1:9a For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son…

Paul also prayed and sang with His spirit and with his understanding also; no doubt as he was led by the Spirit. 1 Cor. 14:15-16 … I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

Upon Jesus’ human experience of suffering and death, and then by His experience of resurrection as “the spirit of life in Christ,” He then had become well able to personally know and understand us in our human frailty and experiences, and to be to us all that we need in our living. Thus Paul wrote these words.

Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest (Christ) which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but (He) was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in (union with) me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

It is by the impartation of Christ’s resurrected Spirit into the believer’s spirit at the moment of their rebirth that their human spirit becomes reborn of Christ’s overcoming “Spirit of life.” A believer then is literally “one spirit” with Christ by the union of His Spirit and their spirit. 1 Cor. 6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one (in) spirit.

When a believer initially believes to receive Christ they are “saved” from perdition (Act 16:31), and then simultaneously become the literal birthed “children of God,” born of God’s “Spirit-Seed” (1Peter 1:23).

John 3:6 (KJV) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed (Gk., sperma), but of incorruptible, by the word of God (“The WORD” and “Seed” is Christ, Jn 1:1, Gal 3:16)…

John 1:12 (NASB) But as many as received Him (Christ’s Spirit), to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,

1 John 3:1 (KJV) Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not..

1 John 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him (Christ), and he (Christ) in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

Romans 8:9b Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his

Thus it is conclusive that every re-born child of God possesses “the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” in their spirit.