What is natural life? Bible questions and answers

 

784. In how many kinds of life is man concerned? 

Two: natural and spiritual. 

785. What is natural life? 

It is the animation of the natural body while soul and body are united. 

786. What is spiritual life? 

It is the Spirit of God within the soul. This form of life is peculiar to man, as the lower animals have no 

souls. 

787. How does the Bible describe the origin of human life? 

“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; 

and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7). 

788. What is the object of this present life? 

To glorify God, help fellow man, and prepare for the better life to come. 

789. Was Adam created immortal? 

We read of no provisions for death previous to the fall. From the fact that the tree of life was placed in the 

midst of the garden (Genesis 2:9) and that death came with the first transgression (Romans 5:12) we con-

clude that if man had never sinned he would have lived forever. 

790. Was the death which came the day of the transgression a natural or a spiritual death? 

Both. That day they were banished from the garden, from the tree of life, from the presence of God. That 

day physical death began in the body which cost Adam his life later on. 

791. What commandment emphasizes the sacredness of human life? 

“Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13). 

792. Is there any hope for the suicide? 

Not unless he is an idiot or insane, or lives long enough after the deed to repent of his sin, for no murderer 

shall inherit the kingdom of heaven (1 John 3:15; Revelation 21:8). 

793. What evidence is there that infants have eternal life? 

“Of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14).

794. How long does this continue? 

Until they arrive at the time of accountability. 

795. What happens them? 

“I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died” (Romans 7:9). 

796. What then becomes necessary for this eternal life to be restored? 

“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). 

797. What emphasis does Paul put upon regeneration?

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature” (Gala-

tians 6:15). 

798. Can every regenerated soul tell the time and manner in which the new birth took place? 

“The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh 

and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit” (John 3:8).799. What truth comes to light in this description by our Saviour? 

Since the new life which springs up within the soul is spiritual, it produces no physical sensation in the 

body. 

800. Then is it impossible for any one to tell whether or not this new life is within the soul? 

It is not impossible. The Bible gives us many evidences whereby we may know. No one can believe the Bi-

ble and not be able to know whether he is saved or lost. 

801. What is our Saviour’s declaration? 

“He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life” (John 5:24). 

802. What does John say? 

“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren” (1 John 5:12) 

803. How is this eternal life manifested? 

By being partakers of Christ (John 6:53; 63). 

804. What is true of the children of God? 

“Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). 

805. What are the outward evidences of this Christ-life in the soul? 

The fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23). “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 

5:25). 

806. What is the conclusion? 

The inner life and outer life should correspond. If the life of God is in the soul, the will of God is done in the 

outward life. 

807. What is the Christian’s testimony? 

“The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God” (Galatians 2:20). 

808. Who may have eternal life? 

“Whosoever will” (John 3:16; Revelation 22:17). 

809. What cheering promise should thrill the hearts of all the faithful? 

“Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).