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	God's Salvation for the Whole Man © 100405; rv. 021407
	Death is never the cessation of existence, whether Christian or unbeliever. Death always refers to "separation". Physical death is the separation of the soul and spirit (together) from the physical body. Spiritual death is the separation of the human spirit from the Spirit of God. The human spirit continues to exist, but without the life of God. Made in the image of God, we are triune creatures, spirits with souls, living inside bodies. God has provided salvation for the whole man. 1 Thess 5:23. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The bible compares the soul and the spirit with joints and marrow. Marrow is the substance where the red and white corpuscles are made in the body. Like the marrow in a bone, the spirit of man goes with and works together with the soul. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Jesus died spiritually so that we could be born-again spiritually. This occurred when Jesus became sin for us. The wages of sin is spiritual death which leads to natural death. It is important to note that Jesus was not killed, but rather gave up his life willingly. John 10:17. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. On the cross, Jesus first died spiritually when he received the sin of the whole world and became sin: Matthew 27:46. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? This was followed by physical death: Mark 15: 37 And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. We are born-again through identification with Jesus in his spiritual death. Ephesians 2:4. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6. And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: Through covenant, we traded places with Him. He took what we deserved and we received what he deserved. 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. Jesus became the curse, which is why there is no curse under the new covenant. The price for all sin has been paid. Punishing sin twice would be unjust. Galatians 3:13. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: The dust of the ground is still under a curse, and our physical bodies are made from that dust. That curse won't be lifted until the Jesus returns, which is why our bodies are now subject to sickness, disease, death, tiredness, wrinkles, injury, hunger, etc. We won't be taking a cursed body into heaven, because God has provided resurrection bodies which don't have these limitations. (1 Cor 15: 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. Jesus' Spirit was resurrected from the dead...just as ours was when we were born-again. Jesus had a resurrection body when he arose from the dead. He was resurrected spiritually by virtue of being re-connected to God, and thus became first -fruits. 1 Cor 15: 20. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. We were connected to God when we first were born. John 1:9. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. But then that hidden defect, the sin nature, surfaced and we knowingly committed sins. We were disconnected from God. Romans 7:9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. It was this disconnect that Jesus came to "fix". It was done through covenant, which is why someone has to accept Jesus as savior. As in marriage, a covenant is not in effect until you say, "I do". It must be an act of a free will, but there are no qualifications to receive the free gift. Confessing sins to become a Christian is highly unscriptural, although tradition carries so much weight in this area that many Christians insist that you must. Actually, only a priest can confess sins before God, and unbelievers are not priests. You will not find anyone confessing sins to be saved in the bible. Repentance, yes, but confession, no. Confession of sins is only after we have been born-again, because before that time we have no relationship with God. That is, in fact, the whole problem! If a non-Christian could confess sins, they would not need to be born-again, because they would already have a relationship with the Lord. Repentance and confession are not at all the same things. It is one thing to have the sin nature...quite another to commit act(s) of sin. Being born with the sin nature is not the same as committing sins. Good news for millions of babies that have been aborted! Babies who die go to heaven because they have committed no sin. Also, a baby could not willingly enter a covenant. The spiritual condition of the parents is not an issue for babies… Ezekiel 18: 4. Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. We can see through the scriptures the progressive nature of salvation: first the spirit… 2 Cor 5: 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. the soul over the rest of the natural lifetime… Jas 1:21b… and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.; 1 Peter 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. to be completed by Jesus himself in heaven… Php 1: 6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Heb 12: 2a Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; ...and the resurrection body to be supplied to us upon the return of Jesus 1 Cor 15: 42. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
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