The Carnal and the Spiritual Man.
By R. A. Morton
"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Cor. 2:14. By the expression "natural man" is meant the natural condition of the heart, before it is wrought upon by the Spirit of God. If the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God, neither can know them, but considers them foolishness, it is evident that there must be a change of heart before he can be a friend of God. The words of Christ are: "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye cannot enter into the kingdom of Heaven." Matt. 18:3. The change necessary is in the spiritual condition of man; for the works of man are but the fruits of the condition of the heart. If the heart is bitter, which is its natural condition, it will yield bitter fruit. If it is sweet, it will yield the pleasant fruits of holiness. Matt. 12:35. But not until the soul, sinking down beneath its load of sin, cries in child-like humility and love to One mighty to save, can he receive things of the Spirit of God. In Gal. 5:17, we read: "The flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary the one to the other." Again, in Rom. 8:7: "The carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." The expression, "carnal mind," means the natural state of the mind which is enmity against God, and cannot be subject to him or love him indeed. But in this text, the reason that the carnal mind is enmity against God, is given. It is because "it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." This shows that insubordination to this law is the cause of man's alienation from God. That the law of God is the great rule of action that condemns man and by which he is to be tried, may be easily shown from the Scriptures. But is it holy and spiritual? Is it a thing of the Spirit of God? If so the natural heart cannot comprehend the eternal principle of love upon which it is founded. In Rom. 7:12, 14: "The law is holy and the commandment holy and just and good. For we know the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin." But the reverse of this is frequently taught at the present time by the popular ministry, which is: we know the law is carnal (a burden); but I am spiritual, born of the Spirit. From the Scriptures we learn that the law is holy and spiritual; that it is a thing of the Spirit of God. Hence no unregenerated person can keep it in spirit. Yet it may be understood, and kept, in part, by the unregenerate, so far as the letter is concerned. For instance, I may read the Holy Scriptures and refrain from labor on the Sabbath, and thus obey the letter of the law. But if the heart is unregenerate, these acts of obedience to the letter of the law, are selfishness. A close examination of self will discover this to be true. In brief, the letter of the law condemns the fruits of the natural condition of the heart, and thus brings the sinner to repentance, while the spirit of the law condemns both the heart's natural state and its fruits. So that he who keeps the letter of the law and is not converted is still condemned by the spirit of the law. It is plain, therefore, that the law stands far above the natural man, and condemns all that is not holy and spiritual. "To be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." Therefore, to keep the commandments of God is life. "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." Rev. 22:14. But to keep them not is death. "Sin is the transgression of the law." "The wages of sin is death." Millions are breaking God's holy Sabbath every seventh day of the week. The proud churches of the world, blinded with carnality, are dumb concerning this great truth. Dear reader, let us, in the name of our dear Saviour, seek to know that in our hearts has been kindled a flame of love toward our Heavenly Father and our fellow-man. Oh! what transcendent love did our Lord manifest toward you and me. He laid aside his glory. He left his Father's house on high. He was crowned with thorns that we might be crowned with the glories of eternal life. Yet this wondrous love is not deeper than the principle of love contained in the ten commandments. It is the same brought to us through the condescension, the sorrow, the grief, and the shameful death of our dear Redeemer. Through his name will our Heavenly Father give his Spirit to the penitent soul bowed down with godly sorrow. Thus may we keep the commandments, be a friend of God, and be saved with an everlasting salvation. R. A. MORTON.