The Natural Man
Out of Christ.
by T. Austin-Sparks

1.  THE KINGDOM OF MAN.
Spirit. Dead to God; entirely severed from God.     Eph. 2:1.
Soul.  Darkened and incapable of receiving or knowing the things of God. 1 Cor. 2:14.
Body. Corruptible, and a body of death.               1 Cor. 15:42-54.
The whole locked up in a fallen state.

2.  THE KINGDOM OF THE WORLD.
Man's second realm of bondage.
"The whole world lieth in the evil one."  1 John 5:19 (R.V.)
Blinded by its god.                             2 Cor. 4:3,4.
Under a curse - marks of which are death and pending judgment.

3.  THE KINGDOM OF DARKNESS.
Man's third realm of bondage.
"The prince of this world."                           John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11.
"Principalities—powers—world rulers of this darkness."  Eph. 6:12.
"The god of this age."                                            2 Cor. 4:4.
"The authority of darkness."                                    Col. 1:13.

4.  THE KINGDOM OF THE HEAVENS.
Closed to fallen man.                                             John 3:3,5.
Interested in fallen man for his deliverance.               John 3:16. etc.

(An image of the original can be viewed by clicking here)

The Believer
In  Christ.

1.  Christ his Redeemer and Deliverer.

2.  The Cross his way of escape.
Christ (God in Christ) as Man for man in His cross took man's:
                         (a) Place.       Phil. 2:7, 8.
                         (b) Sin.          Rom. 8:3
                         (c) Judgment. Gal. 3:13.
                         (d) Death.      2 Cor. 5:15. etc.

In His resurrection:
                         (a) Broke through all realms of bondage.           Col. 2:15.
                         (b) Destroyed all Satan's authority.                 Eph. 1:19, 20.
                         (c) Took His place (as Man for man) in heaven. Heb. 1:3; 2:9.
                         (d) Sent His Spirit to dwell within believers.

3.  The Believer.
In union with Christ by the One Spirit, is:
                         (a) Born from above and has the kingdom of the heavens within.
                         (b) Is therefore a heavenly being in deepest reality.
                         (c)    1. Is Crucified and dead to self.           Gal. 2:20.
                                 2. Is Crucified to the world.                Gal. 6:14.
                                 3. Is Translated out of the authority of darkness,
                                     and from the power of Satan. Col. 1:13, Acts 26:18.
                                 4. Is Seated together with Christ in the heavenlies
                                    and there works and wars.              Eph. 2:6; 6:12.
                                 5. Enjoys an open heaven for revelation, leading and
                                    fellowship.
                                 6. Must always keep in touch with Christ crucified and
                                    the value of His cross.

(An image of the original can be viewed by clicking here)