22d • Christian growth
Growing Into the Eternal Man”
(Becoming What Is Already Written About You in God’s Mind)
There is something God is teaching you that many believers never understand: your walk with God is not about trying to “become something” so God will approve you—your communion with Him is what causes the rest of you to catch up to who you already are in the eternal realm.
THE SPIRITUAL MAN VS. THE NATURAL MAN
Paul uncovers this mystery in 1 Corinthians 2:10–15.He explains that the Spirit searches the deep things of God—things no human intellect can understand. Your natural mind can’t “receive” spiritual revelation. It considers the things of God foolish.
But God did not leave you trapped in your natural thinking.He gave you His Spirit, so you might know the things freely given to you.
This means:The eternal version of you—the one God saw before time—can only be understood through communion with the Spirit.
Imagine a child growing into clothes that were bought for them years before. The clothes already belong to them, but they don’t fit yet. They must grow into what was already purchased.
You are growing into the eternal man—not trying to obtain him.
ONE SPIRIT WITH THE LORD
Paul continues this profound revelation in 1 Corinthians 6:17:
“He who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.”
Think about that.Not “similar spirit.”Not “connected spirit.”One spirit.
This union is so complete, so intertwined, that Paul uses it as the foundation for why we must flee sexual immorality. Why?
Because your body is not just yours—it is the earthly house of the Spirit with whom you are united.
Story Example
Think of a home that is shared by two people. If one person decides to bring filth, corruption, and defilement into the house, it affects the other person who dwells there.In the same way, when we unite ourselves to sin, particularly sexual sin, Paul says we sin against our own body, because the Spirit Himself lives there.
So purity isn’t about rules—it’s about protecting your union.
THE WAR INSIDE: FLESH VS. SPIRIT
Paul tells us clearly in Galatians 5:17–25 that the flesh and the Spirit are at war.
Have you ever wondered why, after being saved, you still feel pulled in two directions?
Because your spirit is already joined to the Lord—perfect, whole, eternal—but your flesh is still learning His ways.Your emotions are still being trained.Your mind is still being renewed.
This is why you feel tension.This is why you feel war.This is why some days you feel like two different people.
You’re not crazy—you’re growing.
And Paul says that if you follow the Spirit, you are not under the law. That means you’re no longer ruled by external rules—you’re led by internal transformation.
ABIDING: THE SECRET TO GROWING INTO THE ETERNAL MAN
Jesus teaches this beautifully in John 15:5–8:
“I am the vine; you are the branches… apart from Me you can do nothing.”
The branch doesn’t strain to bear fruit—it simply stays connected.The juices of the vine flow automatically.Life transfers automatically.Fruit appears automatically.
Fruit is the result of abiding.Abiding is the proof of union.
And Jesus says if you abide:
- You will bear MUCH fruit
- Your prayers will be answered
- The Father will be glorified
- You will prove you are His disciple
Fruit isn’t earned—it flows from connection.
THE MAN WHO MEDITATES ON THE WORD
David describes this in Psalm 1:1–3:
“His delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night… and whatever he does prospers.”
Here’s a key truth:
Stopping the Word stops your growth.Meditation fuels construction.Your spirit knows the eternal you—but your soul must be fed until it catches up.
Illustration
Think of someone going to the gym. The membership is paid for. The trainer is ready. The equipment is available. But showing up once a month won’t transform the body.
The Word is your spiritual gym.Meditation is your repetition.Consistency is how your soul grows into what your spirit already knows.
When you stop reading…your soul stops growing.Your discernment weakens.Your flesh strengthens.The natural man becomes louder.
But when you stay in the Word…your eternal identity becomes clearer.Your decisions become wiser.Your spirit leads instead of your flesh.
FRUIT LEADS TO SANCTIFICATION
Paul adds another layer in Romans 6:22:
“…the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.”
Notice the order:
- First comes fruit
- Fruit produces sanctification
- Sanctification leads to eternal life (the fullness of it)
THE FIRST ADAM & THE LAST ADAM
Paul concludes the spiritual picture in 1 Corinthians 15:45:
“The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.”
Adam received breath.Christ gives breath.Adam was natural.Christ is eternal.Adam breathed in.Christ breathes out.
And because you are one spirit with Him…you are growing from natural to spiritual—from Adam to Christ—from living being to life-giving believer.
You’re not trying to “be better.”You’re growing into the eternal man.
This is why the enemy fights your communion.This is why he fights your meditation.This is why he fights your purity.
He is terrified of who you are becoming.
CLOSING EXHORTATION
Stop trying to earn what is already yours.Stop trying to become what God already sees.Abide. Commune. Meditate. Walk in the Spirit.Your flesh will fall away.Your soul will grow.Your spirit will lead.Your fruit will manifest.
And soon, the earthly version of you will finally match the heavenly one.
CLOSING PRAYER
Heavenly Father,thank You for revealing to us by Your Spirit the things freely given to us. Help us abide in Christ daily—consistently, joyfully, faithfully. Let our flesh fall silent and our spirit rise in authority. Conform our souls to the eternal identity You wrote for us before the foundations of the world. Strengthen us to walk in purity, unity, and communion with You. Make us trees planted by rivers of living water, bearing fruit in every season.In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Growing Into the Eternal Man”
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