DOES MAN HAVE A SPIRITUAL COMPONENT? ARE WE IMMORTAL?
HERE IS WHAT IS KNOWN NOW ON THE SUBJECTS:
Can God's Holy Spirit impregnate a carnal, purely physical brain? Isn't it more logical that mankind has a spiritual component within that is joined with the Holy Spirit and grows into a mind of a true son of God? Hopefully, in the future, more will become clear to us –– possibly with help of the two witnesses.
Acts 2:17, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions,Your old men shall dream dreams.” (NKJV)
This is the hope for all mankind at the first large outpouring of the spirit of God on the first New Testament Pentecost. Mankind hungers for it.
Romans 8:14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”
Continuing in verses 16-19, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God…18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.”
What is more glorious than being a member of the God family? Wow! Our church believes that the Holy Spirit cannot impregnate or combine with a purely flesh and blood brain only. God has given mankind a spiritual seed or component to our brains for our connection with Him.
Galatians 4:6, “And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Soninto your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’”
Also note Phil. 2:15 and I John 3:1-2. Is there a spiritual side of man that cannot be killed or erased by humans, but only by God? Read the booklet on the immortal soul on the church website.
Matthew 10:28, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
All people have a part of their minds and hearts that cannot be harmed by the weapons of this world. It is spiritual and can only be erased by the Eternal God.
1 Kings 17:21, “And he stretched himself out on the child three times, and cried out to the LORD and said, ‘O LORD my God, I pray, let this child's soul come back to him.’”
The prophet brought the boy alive again by asking God to return His spirit back into his body. God only can erase the spiritual component within us. We assume it happens when the defiantly wicked are thrown into the lake of fire to become ashes.
Malachi 4:3, “‘You shall trample the wicked, For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet On the day that I do this,’ Says the LORD of hosts.’”
Therefore as Peter and Jude warn we should strive hard with the help of Christ to repent and obey and grow in righteousness now. Note II Peter 2:9. Further, in II Cor. 5:8 when Paul says he would rather be absent from the body and present with the Lord, he is not undermining the order of the resurrections and our salvation coming at the second coming that he himself described.
No Paul is not contradicting himself. He knows that in his perception, it will seem instantaneous when he is awakened. He knows God will receive his spirit immediately and protect it while it is not dead but in deep sleep.
UNDERSTANDING THE UNPARDONABLE SIN
Jesus warns the leaders of His nation about openly resisting God.
Matthew 11:23-24, “And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.”
Both groups will have to do a lot of repenting in their future judgment period but the Jewish leaders in Christ day are in more danger because they rejected the true Messiah. Further, He warns the leaders about levels of openly opposing God that cannot be forgiven in a future judgment period.
Matthew 12:28-32, “But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you…31 Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.”
They did not have to believe in Jesus the man because God sent Him into the world to die for our sins. But they were warned not to go too far and oppose God. Christ will be the ultimate judge, and His decisions will be inspired and correct. Will He give Judas another chance?
Hebrews 6:5-6, “…and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away,to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame."
BIBLICAL STATEMENTS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND CONTENTMENT
All nations historically have a hunger for some kind of worship of God. Human nature needs some spiritual input. Unfortunately Satan has corrupted the religions in all nations to varying degrees. Yet people have need for spiritual contentment. We need to feed this spiritual side of our nature to help us become more contented mentally.
Philippians 4:10-12, “…you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need…I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”
We people have a spiritual need within us that must be satisfied to be truly happy and contented. It is strange that depression and suicide increases in prosperous Western nations but not among the poorer third world nations. Material things alone cannot make us happy and fulfilled.
Matthew 6:33 NKJV 33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
David was quite down upon himself in Psalm 51. He said he abhorred himself. Yet he ends this and other prayers on a positive note. David repented deeply but was positive about himself and life overall.
Psalms 51:6-8, “Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice.”
Ask God for help in repenting in a positive manner and being happier. Disciples of Christ should first seek spiritual growth and then fulfillment of our other needs will begin to follow. Probably, depression is caused by biological problems or a habit of masochistic thoughts from our upbringing or current environment. Pray for Godliness to crowd out all our bad habits.
ISSUES
WHAT CONTRIBUTES TO THE INCREASE IN DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE?
WILL THESE TRENDS KEEP RISING ?
