The born again believer is a unique individual-made so by one momentous, dynamic and vital decision-to believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ. By believing upon Christ Jesus, he experiences what no other can: spiritual rebirth, forgiveness of all sin-past, present, future, and eternal security. These alone belong to he who has become a child of the living God.
But these are the basics-the elementary doctrines of the Church-the message of the evangelist. And as great as these are (and topics for future discussions), there is more than salvation, being forgiven, and going to heaven. The question must be asked, "What do we do in the interim?" Well, we live the spiritual life through God's grace unto His glory. If we do not, Christianity reverts to what I believe it is today, a system of works and human self-righteousness. And this is exactly what Christ spoke out against as implemented by the religious leaders of His day.
This unique life, the Christian life, is to be formed and fashioned after our Savior's life. He set the example for you and I to follow. However, His example was founded upon a system designed beyond the ability of man. Christianity was never meant to be something we could do on our own. Never! It is only possible to live the Christian life within the power and filling of the Holy Spirit.
And in reading the Gospels, there are three characteristics of Christ I wish to point out that will give us some insight into His spirituality and the spiritual life He lived, which was a "prototype" for us to follow. And if we can grasp the mental state of Christ, we need not be fooled by the charlatans and hucksters who would confuse the babe in Christ as to what spirituality truly is. The characteristics I see in Christ which reflect Christian spirituality are as follows. He was:
These characteristics of focus, balance, and poise are primarily a state of mature thinking.
We will take up each of these in studies to come, but it important to first say what the spiritual life is NOT. First, spirituality has nothing to do with mysticism, the occult, or new age. Though these are of the spiritual realm, it is from the dark side and satanic in nature. Avoid these at all costs. And spirituality is certainly not the emotionalism from those devoid of doctrine. Their craving and lust for signs, wonders, and miracles has resulted in mindless chatter, holy laughter, psuedo-prophetic utterances, hysteria, running through the aisles.
There are so-called ministers today who go around the country dishing out spiritual junkfood to satisfy the spiritual sweet tooth of the carnal Christian. One has labelled such hucksters as peddlers of "Snake Oil". (My difference with the author of "Snake Oil" is that he spends more time with personalities and their antics. I try to focus on their doctrines. However, the traditional "con man" is a master of gaining the confidence of his target by protraying himself as trustworthy, pleasant, and at times, one with whom you would sympathize (i.e. those who have a physical ailment or disease, or those who flash pictures of their starving children.) Especially be careful of the "personality sell". Simply because someone comes across well-meaning, loving, and good doesn't mean they have your best interests at heart. As Christ warned: Beware of wolves in sheep's clothing.
Furthermore, matters are made worse when many of our local pastors serve a dual role: pastor and booking agent. They gladly invite Christian acts and some of the more favorite TV personalities to come and minister to their congregations. This is a natural result from learning doctrine from the personable rather than those trained on the whole counsel of God.
And lastly, spirituality is far removed from sacrificial living and giving, crusading to make this a Christian nation through good works, or perfect church attendance.
mysticism, occultic practices, new age
emotionalism, hysteria, mindless chatter
sacrificial living and giving
God's Word had priority in Christ's life. And from God's Word, He knew who He was, what He believed, where He was going and how to get there. He let no one distract Him from His course-not the crowds, not His family, and not His disciples.
He came into the world to save sinners by means of the cross. He was the sacrificial lamb, for He and He alone was perfect without spot or blemish-acceptable to God. He came into the world to die, that we might forever live with Him in Heaven. Jesus Christ, Iésous Christos in the Greek, was fastened, fixed, and focused to do the will of God and accomplish His work. Such is the focus of Christ, and if we dare to think of ourselves as spiritual, we, too, must be so like-minded. Anything less or else is at best psuedo-spiritual and offensive to God.
For if anyone thinks he is something [spiritual] when he is nothing [carnal], he deceives himself, Gal. 6:3
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