True Life: Physical Vs the Spiritual True Life Physical Vs the Spiritual “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” - John 3: 5-7 Rajan George
True Life: Physical Vs the Spiritual True Life: Physical Versus The Spiritual
3 True Life: Physical Versus The Spiritual True Value of Life “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:6) Jesus draws a clear distinction between the spiritual and the physical nature of human life. We need to delve deeper into understanding what this means for us and how it shapes our perception of life. What we perceive through our senses may not tell the entire story as we ought to know it. Life is not fully realized if we fail to understand its meaning and purpose. The following story of an International Skating couple should alert us how uncertain life is. Sergei Grinkov was only 28 years old when he died of a heart attack while practicing with his wife, Ekaterina Gordeeva, who was also his skating partner, for the opening of the Stars on Ice tour just five days away. In less than three decades, he had accomplished much— winning many national and international trophies, earning two Olympic medals, and establishing a successful career with American skating companies. He and his wife Gordeeva had a beautiful daughter named Daria. With a promising future ahead, surrounded by success, fame, wealth, and popularity, Sergei was unaware of death’s sudden and cold embrace. Those who witnessed the event were aghast and could not fathom how death could be so cruel. Such is the uncertainty of life. No one is exempt from death’s grip. No matter how much we invest in our lives, our efforts will not prosper unless we live diligently and with prudence.The Physical Is Ephemeral While on His earthly sojourn, Jesus Christ, our Creator, warned us about the fleeting nature of physical life and our endless pursuit of material comfort: “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” (Luke 12:15) He illustrated this truth with the parable of a rich man whose land produced an abundant harvest: “And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” (Luke 12:17–20) Jesus concluded: “So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:21) The spiritual phase of human existence is the true reality. The physical body is only a vessel for our limited personality—the form by which we are identified. We are deceived by our senses to believe only what we can perceive. Yet what we confirm as real through our senses lasts only as long as the spirit dwells in the body. Tragically, we have traded our spiritual
True Life: Physical Vs the Spiritual life for temporal pleasures, ignoring the divine warnings God has sent through His prophets and apostles, because we fail to recognize the true value of our existence. Jesus warned us not to worry excessively about the flesh: “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” (Matthew 6:31–34) Love Not the World Apostle John also admonished believers in Christ to not love the world. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. sss0And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” (1 John 2:15–17) Consumed by a fervent desire for comfort and luxury, we pursue avenues to satisfy our sensual appetites and promote our selfcentered nature. We spare no expense of time or money in gratifying our passions. In doing so, very few take heed of spiritual matters or their paramount importance. Our average lifespan may reach seventy or eighty years, and even if prolonged, it is often full of labor and sorrow before we are cut off. More than three thousand four hundred years ago, Moses, the man of God, wrote about the brevity of human life: “The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” (Psalm 90:10) This is one of the earliest psalms ever written, and it speaks profoundly about the nature and brevity of life. Through our experiences, we can attest to the truth of this statement, which remains as relevant today as it was then. None can contest this reality. It is noteworthy that Moses himself lived to be 120 years old, yet “his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.” (Deuteronomy 34:7) He was not speaking of himself, but of the common human condition. According to the United Nations Population Division’s 2020 estimates, the global average life expectancy for both genders is 73.2 years. While some live beyond a hundred, they are rare exceptions. The lowest life expectancy, about 54 years, occurs in nations where living conditions are poor, while the highest—about 83 years—is found in advanced nations with high life quality. Yet these statistics speak only of physical existence. Without the spiritual, we truly do not exist. This does not mean that caring for the body is unimportant—it is. But to focus solely on the physical while neglecting the spiritual is man’s greatest folly, often stemming from an egocentric vision. We strive to be known for what we are not, seeking popularity, comfort, and pleasure to the point of becoming gluttonous, hedonistic, and licentious. However, Jesus warns: “He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.” (John 12:25) Without the spirit, the body cannot exist. The physical body serves merely as a home for the spirit—like a cage for a bird. When the bird departs, the cage loses its purpose. Likewise, when the spirit leaves the body, the body—having lost its value—is either buried or cremated. All our efforts to adorn it then become futile. The frantic attempt to embellish our physical appearance while ignoring the spiritual life is a grave error. It is an unrealized truth that the body is the temple of God. Apostle Paul warns:
Body is the Temple of God “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19) “If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16–17) If this is so, do we not believe that the Lord is capable of caring for His own temple? In his admonition to the young preacher Timothy, Paul wrote that physical exercise is beneficial, but godliness is far more valuable, for it holds promise for both this life and the life to come: “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8) For those who trust in God’s providence and follow His commandments, physical needs should not be a source of anxiety, for the Lord provides for His own: “And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. Life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? …Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?... But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Luke 12:22–31) What are your Priorities? The parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:14–21) should serve as a sobering reminder to examine our priorities. It warns all who are 5 preoccupied with the physical and neglectful of the spiritual demands of life. Jesus calls us to let go of our possessions and give to the poor, storing up eternal treasures in heaven that never fail: “Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:33–34) We are born with nothing in our hands, and we shall leave this world the same way: “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” (1 Timothy 6:7) As mortals, our present life is not eternal—we pass this way only once. Only a few, by divine intervention, have been granted a second chance, such as Lazarus of Bethany, the widow’s son of Nain, and Jairus’ daughter— resurrected by Jesus Christ. Other examples exist in both Old and New Testaments, but they are rare exceptions, not the rule. We are Temporary Residents in the World As temporary residents in this world, we do not have an enduring city. Our possessions, no matter how vast or expansive, will never truly become our own. “For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” (Hebrews 13:14) Even if we wish to remain longer, we cannot. Outside of God’s will, we cannot add one second to our lives. Therefore, we cannot establish a permanent residence here. Whatever we build will eventually be left behind. We are made from dust, and to dust we shall return. “Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” (Genesis 3:19) “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” (Ecclesiastes 12:7) “For what is the hope of the godless when he is cut off, when God takes away his life?” (Job 27:8) This does not mean that we are without hope. The sting of death has forever
True Life: Physical Vs the Spiritual been destroyed when Jesus walked into the jaws of death, challenged its dominion over life, and overcame its power over God’s creation. The death that once overpowered the creation of God with its reign of terror has been banished into oblivion, for Jesus Christ came victorious over death and its sting—sin. Today, there is an empty grave where the crucified Christ was buried. That stony tomb, sealed by imperial Rome, could not hold Him nor keep Him down forever. As prophesied hundreds of years before: “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” (Psalm 16:10) On the third day, declaring victory over sin, death, and destruction—banishing the author of death—Jesus rose from the grave. Through Him, we too can overcome death. “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:55–57) Speaking to Martha, who was despondent over her brother Lazarus’ death, Jesus said: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” (John 11:25–26) He who believes in Jesus will be raised back to life even after his mortal body disintegrates into dust. That is the assurance we have when we place our hope and trust in the Lord. This was the very purpose of His coming into the world—that we might have life abundantly. “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) If it were not to reinstate man and extend to him the opportunity to regain eternal life, God—in the person of Jesus Christ—would not have had to enrobe Himself in flesh and subject Himself to the untold torture and misery He suffered at the cross. Why Jesus veiled Himself in the Flesh The very purpose of God veiling Himself in the flesh was to provide humanity the opportunity to regain what was lost through sin. He became the only bridge that could reconnect our physical existence in the flesh to the spiritual life available only through Him. “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36) Our life is rooted in the flesh. But unless we are born of the Spirit, we cannot enter the kingdom of God. Speaking to Nicodemus, a prominent Jewish rabbi, Jesus declared that one must be born again. “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:5–8) Jesus also said, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.” (John 6:63) The choice must be made while we are yet alive, and it can only be accomplished by making the right decision. It may not be easy to break free from the fetters that bind us to our current beliefs. Filial ties, social pressures, financial losses, and mental struggles may be difficult to overcome. Yet, the choice must be made. God, who created us, has granted us the ability to choose our destiny—whether to live eternally or to be forever condemned. The trappings of sin are not easily overcome. Its grip is strong, and its allurements are powerful. On our own, we cannot break free from its chains. But through Jesus Christ, we have a way of escape. Those who fail to make the right choice are forever doomed. By beholding Him, we are transformed:
“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3:18) Our life has purpose and meaning, and only by discovering that divine purpose can we realize life’s full potential. If in this life we fail to choose the true path to eternal life, we are all heading toward eternal destruction. Only when we exercise our God-given freedom to make independent choices—free from the clutches of social or familial ties—can we truly discover the truth. Spiritual Birth: You Must Be Born Again “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) When God made man, He formed him out of clay and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. Thus, man became a living soul. This was the first instance in which God breathed His Spirit into man as the power of life. The second time we see God breathing His Spirit into man is when Jesus breathed the Spirit of God into His disciples: “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.” (John 20:21– 23) Without the indwelling of the Spirit, there is no soul. Though not visible as an objective entity, the body without the spirit has no true existence and, therefore, no individuality. Just as an electrical line disconnected from a power source has no purpose, a body not connected to the source of life cannot exist. Spirit, therefore, is the true personality that can communicate with God, while the body serves as the house for the indwelling spirit. Only the spirit can enter the celestial world; the physical body must be left behind. 7 That is why Scripture says, “Dust thou art, and to dust shalt thou return.” Consequently, the continued existence of the spirit should be our utmost concern. “Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 15:50) Flesh and blood cannot maintain a relationship with God, who is Spirit. Only through the Spirit can we relate to Him. “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24) Flesh and blood cannot enter the kingdom of God—only the spirit can. We must be born of the Spirit. This spiritual regeneration is the “second birth” experience. That is why Jesus said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” It is a decision each of us must make. Our physical existence did not come by our choice, but our spiritual birth is our choice—and upon it hangs our eternal destiny. In His conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus revealed the true state of man’s existence and the basic requirement for entry into the heavenly kingdom: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:5–6) This statement implies that one must be baptized and anointed by the Holy Spirit to be considered born of the Spirit. This is the new-birth experience—the state of being “born again.” Merely bearing the name “Christian” does not entitle anyone to the heavenly kingdom; we must be born again. While we live in the flesh, we tend to believe that physical existence is the only life that matters. Immersed in the tangible and visible, most people remain unaware of their spiritual existence. Life becomes meaningful only when we recognize its purpose, meaning, and ultimate goal. To understand life’s true meaning, we must explore its spiritual dimension. Without this understanding, we live as mere beasts, following the Epicurean motto: “Eat, drink, and
True Life: Physical Vs the Spiritual be merry, for tomorrow we die.” If that were truly the end of life, then all our struggles to live a few years—only to die and be buried— would be utterly meaningless. Therefore, it is imperative that we pursue the truth about life— its meaning, its purpose, and its destiny. Without the Spirit, the Body Does Not Exist Without the spirit, physical life cannot exist, for as soon as the spirit departs from the body, we return to dust or flame—buried, cremated, or otherwise disposed of according to one’s beliefs. To know the true purpose of life, we must understand the continuity of existence after death. Failing to determine what awaits us beyond the grave is the greatest mistake one can make after living many years on earth. It matters little how long we live if we do not pursue the truth about life after death— our existence becomes an exercise in futility. Every human being will rise again to receive the reward for the deeds done while in the flesh. Deeds in the Flesh Will Be Judged You may dismiss this truth as folly and live carelessly, but that will not absolve you from judgment. Neglecting the care of your soul is a dereliction of duty, for which we are accountable. The Spirit of God dwells in us, and our bodies are His temple—this remains true whether we acknowledge it or not. Therefore, we must care for both our bodies and our spiritual condition. God will not tolerate anyone destroying His temple: “If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16–17) As long as our bodies are indwelt by the Spirit of God, we are not our own. The Apostle Paul writes: “However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.” (Romans 8:9) “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19) “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit... So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:5–8) “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you... Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” (John 6:53–58) Life Is Uncertain No one can confidently claim he will live to see the next moment, for he has no power or control over his life. It all depends on the LORD, who created us. He gives life, sustains it, and takes it away according to His will. “There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.” (Ecclesiastes 8:8) From the moment we are born, we are on a trajectory that leads to the grave. No one can escape the fate God has appointed for man, regardless of how hard we strive. He has imparted His Spirit to enable our lives, and He can withdraw it at will. Prophet Moses, the man of God who communed personally with the LORD, recorded God’s words in Deuteronomy: “See now that I, even I, am He, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.” (Deuteronomy 32:39) The key point here is that there is only one God, and He alone has the power to give and take life—none else. This is the same God who spoke through Moses, the Creator who sustains and redeems life from eternal death. Only He can rightfully claim to be God; all others are products of human imagination and speculation. Eternal life is available only through the knowledge of the True God. In His
intercessory prayer, Jesus declared: “And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) The emphasis here is on knowing the True God—the Father and the Son—who alone can grant eternal life. Indeed, God the Father, through His Son Jesus Christ, is the only One who determines our destiny. He decides the length of our days, and we have no control over our existence. “Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? ... Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.” (Matthew 6:27, 34) My Kingdom Is Not of This World “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” This statement by Jesus before Pilate confirms that the Kingdom of God is not earthly but celestial. It affirms that our true life is spiritual and eternal, not temporal or material. “Pilate therefore said unto Him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice.” (John 18:36–37) Jesus, who created us, never sought earthly power, for all the rulers of the earth were already in subjection to Him—even without their knowledge, Pilate included. “To this end I was born” refers to the fact that Jesus came into this world to die for mankind, and in humility He subjected Himself to the rulers of the world, acknowledging their authority. That gesture of the LORD in no way made Jesus Christ the subject of their rule. They owed not only their royal power but also their very life and existence to the LORD who stood before Pilate, accused of blasphemy. (Imagine the High Priests bringing Jesus before Pilate, accusing Him of blasphemy 9 against Himself—without realizing that He was the very God they claimed to worship. The contradiction of their accusations and their failure to recognize who stood before them is breathtaking, especially as they continued offering sacrifices to Him in their temple.) Man Is Created to Live for Eternity From the Scriptural record, it is clear that God’s purpose in creating man was that he should live for eternity. God breathed into man the breath of life: “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” (Genesis 2:7) God’s breath signifies a life that does not cease. By breathing into man’s nostrils, God imparted His own divine essence—an immortal spark that endures unless man willfully severs his connection with the Creator. This act implied immortal existence for man, untainted by sin, and revealed how meaningful man’s life is to God—exalted above all other creatures He made. All other living and non-living things were spoken into existence by God. “The LORD said, Let there be…,” and it came into being. Light, the sun, moon, and stars in the sky; the birds of the air; the beasts of the field; the fish of the sea; the plants and trees that filled the earth—all were created by His command and endowed with the power to multiply and replenish the earth. “For He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.” (Psalm 33:9) But it was different in the case of man. God personally shaped man with His own hands from the dust of the ground and woman from one of man’s ribs. “Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.” (Genesis 2:22) Thus, both were formed individually and personally endowed with the breath of life. Without the Spirit of God, there is no life. The soul lives only because the Spirit of God dwells within. Hence, our bodies are called the temples of God.
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