Shalom,
In order to properly understand the Word of God, we need to understand a very basic Bible Truth about ourselves. Just as God (or the Godhead) is a triune being (the Father, the Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit), so we are also triune beings. We are spirit beings who possess souls and live in bodies.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 (KJV)
23And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
At the new birth it is the spirit of man that is born again:
2 Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified)
17Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!
Our spirits are made new, in His image. Our previous spiritually dead nature was replaced with a new, godly nature. Our spirits are made perfect! Instantly! There is another instant change that will happen at a future time, I think very soon. That is the instant changing of our mortal bodies into immortal bodies, resurrection bodies:
1 Corinthians 15:51-53 (Amplified)
51Take notice! I tell you a mystery (a secret truth, an event decreed by the hidden purpose or counsel of God). We shall not all fall asleep [in death], but we shall all be changed (transformed)
52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the [sound of the] last trumpet call. For a trumpet will sound, and the dead [in Christ] will be raised imperishable (free and immune from decay), and we shall be changed (transformed).
53For this perishable [part of us] must put on the imperishable [nature], and this mortal [part of us, this nature that is capable of dying] must put on immortality (freedom from death).
The other part of our being, our soul, does not change instantly while here on earth. Our soul is also triune, consisting of our mind, emotions and will. Our mind is our intellect, our emotions are our feelings and our will is our "chooser", what we make choices and decisions with. The changing of our souls is a progressive work that requires a daily decision to train ourselves to think like God. The Bible does tell us this:
1 John 3:2 (KJV)
2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Until THAT day, we need to renew our minds to think like God so that we can make right decisions with our souls that will result in our pleasing God while here in these bodies! We'll talk more about how to renew our souls tomorrow.
Shalom in Him!
