Saturday after Trinity VIII - Devotion in semi-Exile

Lection for Saturday after Trinity VIII
1 Samuel 24:1-22      1 Corinthians 1:26-2:16 

The 14^th verse of that 2^nd Chapter of First Corinthians says, But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 

What is a “natural man?” First off, it is good to know that we are all born in this flesh as a “natural man.” What exactly does that mean? It is what we learn from the Psalmist, “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.” (Ps. 51:5)

Each is a natural man, for each is born in human flesh, flesh born in the image of our father, Adam. We are born in the fallen, sinful image we have inherited from our parents. It is because of this, because of our sinful human nature, that we, as natural man cannot come to know the things that are of the Spirit of God.

Natural man loves to satisfy the flesh. Natural man succumbs to the lowest common denominator, wanting those things which make the natural man happy, comfortable, that satisfy the desires of our sinful nature. How that manifests itself in each of us id different. You can tell what it is though, for when it is addressed by the truth of God’s Word, you get perturbed about it – it makes you either uncomfortable or downright defiant.  

There is of course another response – the Spiritual response. When the truth of God’s Word confronts us in our sinfulness, we have sorrow over the sin, are remorseful about it, bow our heads in grief and shame, and begs God’s mercy.

Human flesh does not desire, nor can it accept, believe, or even trust the things of the Spirit of God. Ephesians also explains it well: For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that [faith] not of yourselves, it [faith] is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. (Eph. 2:8-10)

Luther expresses these Biblical truths when he explains the Third Article of the Creed:  I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.

In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.

In this Christian church He daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers.

Thankfully, you and I are no longer simply natural man. Jesus explains how it happens when He says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) How is one born again? Jesus explains, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and 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) It happens in the waters of baptism. By the miracle of God’s grace you are baptized into Christ and His Spirit indwells you. You are now a new man, a spiritual man. (read Romans 6)

That which is born of water and the Spirit desires to grow in that faith. Spiritual mand wants to be fed and nourished through Word and Sacrament. Like Luther’s explanation said earlier, that it is in the Christian Church where we are all called, gathered, enlightened, and sanctified. This is the continuing life of holiness that is the Christian’s – God’s work in man by His Spirit.

What a joy to be called by God to be His child, to be made and kept as His child, and to know that no matter how hard my enemy, my sinful flesh, struggles within me, the victory of Christ is already mine. Thanks be to God!