I believe that, like God, man exists in three modes of being (
Romans 8:16;
1 Thessalonians 5:23;
Hebrews 4:12). After all, man was made in God's image. A human being is composed of the following:
1.) Body (soma): The physical aspect to man's nature. It is composed of "flesh". It has a biological basis. Though a man be a "new creature" the body is still subject to genetics, hormones, disease, sickness, aging, and death. This body will be changed (glorified) in the twinkling of an eye at Christ's coming. Upon glorification this body will no longer be subject to genetics, hormones, disease, sickness, aging, and death. The desire for pleasure, comfort, and ease originate from the flesh. And the flesh doesn't care if pleasure, comfort, and ease are attained through godly means or ungodly means.
2.) Soul (psueche/psyche): This is the mental aspect to man's nature. Thoughts originate from this aspect of a man. This part of man holds "identity". And though a man be a "new creature" the soul is still in need of conformity. We renew our minds through the Word of God. Without the Word of God, the soul is conditioned to cater to "the flesh" (the desires of the body). At Christ's coming, our souls (minds) will also be glorified and the mind of Christ will be complete and permanent. We will be like Him.
3.) Spirit (pnuema): This is the "living" aspect to a man's nature, the "life force" if you will. It is the very essence of life itself. Emotions and motives originate from this aspect of a man. The ancients likened this "life force" or "living essence" to being the "breath" of life. Apart from God, it is corrupt. The emotions and motives of a man are self serving and ego-centric. Yet when a man is born again the Holy Spirit of God takes up residence in the spirit of a man and thus the spirit of a man comes into a state of union with the Spirit of God. Now the very "life force" or "living essence" of God Himself flows through the spirit of the born again believer. The result is essentially... becoming one spirit with the LORD Himself. This is the aspect of man that becomes a "new creature" when a man is born again. Never before has creation seen a mortal being in spiritual union with God, hense being a "new creature", or a "new kind of being".
Please note: The soul and the spirit are inseperably bound together and are threfore the terms are often used interchangeably with regards to each (
Matthew 10:28;
Luke 1:46-47;
Acts 2:31;
1 Corinthians 5:3; 6:20; 7:34;
2 Peter 2:11). Together, they make the "inner man" (
Ephesians 3:16) or the "spirit body" (
1 Corinthians 15:40). The "spirit body" of a man is connected to the physical body by what is known as a "silver cord" (
Ecclesiastes 12:5-7). This "silver cord" is the spirit body's "lifeline" to the physical body in the same way that our umbilical cord is our "lifeline" to our mother's body during the birth process. At death, this silver cord is broken and the spirit body is set free from it's connection to the body while the body is left lifeless.
So a born again Christian, a new creature, is still subject to the flesh and the carnal mind. This is why a born again believer, while being a "new creature", is still subject to genetic issues, disease, sickness, aging, and death. This is why a born again believer, while being a new creature, it still in need of having the mind painstakingly renewed daily through the Word of God in effort to "put on Christ" or to have "the mind of Christ". It is the "spirit" of the born again believer that is in union with God and "regenerated" through this union. Now godly emotions reside within the very living essence of a man. Now godly motives issue forth from the depths of a man's living essence. So when the man surrenders his will to the flesh and sins... the spirit is convicted. A sense of having done wrong, a sense of guilt, shame, and perhaps even depression can develope. He is a "new creature"... but this "new creature" is a treasure currently bound in an earthen vessel.
Thoughts???
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