Job 32: 8
The Word: Job 32: 8 (NASB)
8 “But it is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.
Dig Deeper:
Job 32: 8 (KJV)
8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
Think about it
THE ART OF RESPIRATION
We already said there 7 characteristics of living things: Respiration, Nutrition, Excretion, Sensitivity, Movement, Growth, Reproduction. We also said that growth is far down the list. Growth is an automatic by product that happens when other factors are in place. Man does not control growth but rather when man fulfils his own part by creating a conducive atmosphere for growth, God takes over and gives the increase. Lets look at the 1st characteristics of living things today: Respiration.
What is Respiration?
Respiration is simply the act of breathing. Animals take in oxygen and exhales CO2. Plants take in Co2 and gives out oxygen. That helps balance the ecosystem. When a man dies, he stops breathing. You check the pulse and there is nothing. Breath symbolises life. So a man that is not alive cannot be talking of growth. You need to be alive first before growth can even be a consideration. When God created man at the beginning, he breathed into him the breath of life and man became a living soul (Genesis 2:7). In the Hebrew and Greek, thesame word breath is also thesame word for spirit. Jesus told Nicodemus: Unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3: 3). So unless the spirit of a man is alive, spiritual growth is impossible. Being born again is the starting point of spiritual growth. You may experience other types of growth but without becoming born again spiritual growth is out of the question.
What does it mean to be born again?
It is simply understanding that man’s spirit was initially alive to God at creation but became separated (dead) to God because of the sin of Adam. That sin was transferred to all men by birth (Adamic lineage) but Jesus died to pay the penalty of that sin on your behalf and created a new spiritual lineage. The moment you believe in your heart that Jesus died for you and you confess with your mouth that he is now your Lord and saviour, the spiritual lineage overides the death from the physical lineage. Your spirit man comes alive to God (becomes born again). The Holy Spirit can now live inside your spirit and you can refer to God as your father.
We need to ask ourselves: Am i dead or alive to God. If our relationship is damaged, we need to go back to him and get it right. There can be no meaningful growth without life being present
Our memory verse for February
2 Peter 3: 18
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Let’s take a few moment to learn our memory verse for this month by heart. It can be memorised in 3 lines:
Line 1: But Grow in grace,
Line 2: And in the knowledge of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.
Line 3: To him be glory both now and for forever.
Once you say it a few times it will stick.
Prayer focus: Father I ask for a fresh breath of the Holy Spirit over me IJN
On Grace: God’s lavish Grace – Terry Virgo
Masterlife Workbook: The Church is embarking on weeks of discipleship workbook study starting with the Masterlife: Disciple’s cross.
