The Biblical Text: 1Corinthians 1-3
THE NATURAL PERSON
All people who have not heard or received Jesus as Lord are identified as natural. This includes religious and well as secular thinking individuals. Specifically, those who hear the preaching of the cross of Christ and consider it foolishiness are classified as natural thinkers. Everyone born into this world begin their journey as natural people. We have a natural inablity to comprehend the deeper plan of God because we are without his Spirit. We do have the capacity to live by some of the moral principles taught in the Bible but cannot fulfill its deeper meaning. This is not to judge us but simply to clarify that this is the fact of life.
THE WORLDY CHRISTIAN
The person who has received Christ's sacrifice on the cross for their sins but continue to live by their natural abilities rather than by the power of God's indwelling Spirit. These people are classified as "carnal" or "fleshly" because they have not developed and matured in walking with the Spirit. This is why the church has divisions, envy, strife and hypocracy. Worldy Christians are classified as "babies" and cannot understand the deeper spiritual life. They are the problem that becomes a stumbling block to many natural people.
THE SPIRITUAL CHRISTIAN
There are many people who are not Christians who are seen as spiritual. But the Biblical test for spirituality clearly defines these people as those who have surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Spiritual people daily walk or live in the power of the Holy Spirit. They live beyond their circumstances. They are filled the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,gentleness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control. They live on a "supernatural" level that honors God. This is the life that God intends for all people to experience. Spiritual Christians are the answer to the worlds needs and unfullfilled expectations.
