The immaterial aspect of people that can communicate with God is called the spirit. A person is spiritually dead and unable to connect with God apart from Christ (Ephesians 2:1–6; Romans 8:5–8). But the Holy Spirit enters a person and gives them spiritual life when they place their faith in Jesus Christ for the redemption of their sins. The term “spiritual life” describes a life spent in and with God from justification to eternity. We become spiritually alive when we are reborn.
A person is a slave to sin and spiritually dead before they have spiritual life, according to John 8:34. (Colossians 2:13). Every human is cursed with a sin nature, a separation from God, and a propensity to live against God’s will as a result of Adam’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden. The only way to be saved and have your sins forgiven is via Jesus (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). He defeated death by rising from the dead, and He paid the price for sin on behalf of everyone who would trust in Him (Acts 16:31; John 3:16). Spiritual life comes to all who place their faith in Him for this salvation. Christians are warned by the apostle Paul that they will die if they continue to live according to their natural selves.
When we put our faith in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, we pass from death to life. We are regenerated; our sins are forgiven, and we are spiritually reborn. We are no longer slaves to sin (Romans 6:18). We can live for God. We have spiritual life. At the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit enters the believer, and “the Spirit gives life” (John 6:63). After a person is saved, the Holy Spirit guides him or her in a new spiritual life and produces godly character (John 16:13; Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:25).
The spiritual life of a believer compels him or her to grow in the things of God and to apply God’s truth to life. The extent of growth in a person’s spiritual life is determined by the extent to which he allows the Holy Spirit to lead and control his life instead of living in the flesh. Our sin and disobedience grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30) and hinder His work in our lives. Rather than bend to worldly influences, believers are exhorted to be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). A born-again believer will continue to grow in his spiritual life by consistently and continually choosing to surrender to the work of the Holy Spirit.
