Natural-Born
Collins Dictionary defines natural-born as meaning “by virtue of one’s nature, qualities, or innate talent.” For example, “a natural-born musician.”
Just by simple observation, I’m sure we all have known people who are natural-born singers. I don’t remember where I saw it, but there is a video of the singer Adel disguising herself and participating in a contest for Adel’s best singing impression. There was no doubt from any of the contestants that she won. Then, of course, she revealed herself, and chaos ensued. Adel is a natural-born singer and songwriter.
A Chasm
It is wonderful when a person recognizes their natural-born talent and then hones it into a skill they can use to make a living. However, there is a chasm between natural people and the sons and daughters of God. “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” – 1 Corinthians 2:14
A “natural” person is still spiritually dead. What value is there in trying to have a theological conversation with a dead person? None! What a dead person needs is life. Spiritual life is only given by Jesus. He said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) If we’re going to have a conversation about spiritual things with a natural person, then that conversation should be about Jesus and the cross.
The Spirit Who is From God
For those of us who are Christian, “Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.” (1 Corinthians 2:12) We no longer depend upon “natural-born” talents, and we no longer think in “natural” ways. Now God may use our natural-born gifts to His glory. Still, as a child of God, “…each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:” You can find a list of these gifts in 1 Peter 4:9-11.
We are no longer dead. We live! We live by the life Jesus imparted to us. We have spiritual gifts that God has given us for His purposes. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:10 God is so generous. Use the spiritual gifts that God has given you!
Photo by Austin Neill on Unsplash
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