REVELATION:  FIRST THE NATURAL, THEN THE SPIRITUAL

Natural = Works

Spiritual = Faith

As I was reading the principal of first sowing in the natural, then comes the spiritual, I was suddenly hit with some thoughts that connected it with the scriptures about faith and works.

1 Cor 15:44-46

It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual.

·       First we sow our works into the earth (because of our faith) then we get the spiritual results.

·       First we sow a decree in the earth (because of our faith) and then we get the spiritual harvest from heaven.

·       First we sow through walking out an intercession on earth, then we see it multiplied to bring deliverance for our loved ones.

·       First we sow our daily jobs in the earth (because of our faith), and then we get the spiritual harvest (from heaven) for it.

·       What we DO in the earth (because of our faith) is spiritually rewarded from heaven. 

·       What we sow in death to self will (because of our faith) is spiritually resurrected in multiplication. 

·       What we invest (because of our faith), is spiritually multiplied with interest.

“Faith without works is dead....  I will show you my faith by my works...  Faith was working together with works and by those works, faith was made perfect.... a man’s works justifies his faith...for just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead.”  (James 2: 17, 18, 22, 24, 26)

1 Cor 15:42-58 NKJV

So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man. 

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed —  52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."  

55 "O  Death, where is your sting?  O Hades, where is your victory?"    56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

James 2:14-26 NKJV

What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works ? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works , is dead.  18 But someone will say, "You have faith , and I have works ." Show me your faith without your works , and I will show you my faith by my works . 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe — and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?   21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works , and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works , and not by faith only. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.