I understand this passage to declare that Adam died spiritually and was cut off and separated from God. John also tells us that we must be born again referring to man's spirit. Does this mean that man's spirit is exclusively reserved to worship, fellowship, and interact with God?
Community answers are sorted based on votes. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is.
In my opinion, the original purpose of the spirit within humans (as indicated in the question) was to allow them to have unique communion and fellowship with God. However, the fall of humans into sin through the exercise of their free will irretrievably broke this fellowship, and corrupted the spiritual component that God created within them. Even saving faith itself is now a gift of God, and not of our own doing (Ephesians 2:8-9). The result (as Paul described in Romans 7) is that, even within Christians, there is a continual spiritual struggle between the law of God and the law of sin. It is only through the working of the Holy Spirit following faith in Christ that the regeneration of the spirit can begin, but it will not be completed (even for Christians) in this life.
Ezekiel 3:14: So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the Lord was strong upon me. The Spirit of God comes upon every child of God to empower and to hearken to His voice. Ezekiel the Priest and a Prophet ministering during the darkest days of Judah’s history was and went in bitterness in the heat (anger) of his spirit, but the hand of the Lord (Holy Spirit of God) was strong on him and was taken and then made a “Watchman unto the house of Israel”. Therefore, he had to hearken to the voice of the Holy Spirit of God, who gave them a warning, and if they turned not from their wicked way then they shall die in their iniquity, but Ezekiel's soul shall be delivered. (Ezekiel 3:19) The Spirit of God that restrains every child of God will do so until He is taken off, (2 Thess 2:7) for the Spirit of the Lord shall not strive with man forever because they are in the flesh. (Gen 6:3) The enemy shall come in like a flood, the spirit of lawlessness which is creeping in, for it shall be a time of trouble such as never has been before. The four angels which are bound in the great river “Euphrates when it shall dry” shall be loosed during this time and one-third of mankind shall be killed (Rev 9:14-15,16:12). This shall be a time of trouble such as never has been for this shall be the great tribulation in the world. (Mat 24:21-22/2 Thes 2:3) The spirit of lawlessness shall not be restrained during this time, Satan will be in full control to perform signs and wonders to deceive the whole world. Every child of God needs to be led by the Spirit of God during this time to hearken to His voice, especially during the end times. The Spirit of God will still guide those who then will discern in the right spirit during the tribulation period and be sealed and then leave everything and run to the mountains (Rev 7:3/Mat 24:16,31) and hide themselves or may have to lose their lives which will be their reward. (Rev 14:13/Daniel 12:1) Revelation 14:13: And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, "Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: 'Yea,' saith the Spirit, that they may rest from the labours; and their works do follow them."
All answers are REVIEWED and MODERATED.
Please ensure your answer MEETS all our guidelines.
A good answer provides new insight and perspective. Here are guidelines to help facilitate a meaningful learning experience for everyone.