There is much talk and discussion today about spirituality. And whether you r source be from New Age literature, health food books, weekly news magazine s, or your friendly barber or beautician, spirituality is a hot topic. The latest spiritual guru to foist his opinions and so-called expertise on this matter is Deepak Chopra. He is featured on the front cover of Newsweek, Oct ober 20, '97. It is titled, and I believe appropriately so, "Spirituality for Sale."
Chopra seems to be having a substantial impact on America with his talk of the "meaning of life". Chopra has a medical degree and this seems to give him a great degree of credibility over the other so-called guru's of the '90's. He is outspoken and confident in his assertions. One his most blaring and telling things he has to say, reports Newsweek, is this. Chopra says, "You don't have to give up everything to be spiritual...get away from the world, all that junk. I satisfy a spiritual yearning without making [people] think they have to worry about God and punishment."
Granted, he does not pretend to be a Christian prophet, but his talk of spirituality contradicts the One True Prophet, Christ Jesus. Christ teaches, "Sell your possessions...be not of the world...fear He who has the power to cast into hell." Chopra's spirituality is shallow, dark and void of true knowledge. Like most con men, there is always a bit of truth to grab the mark's attention. But sprinkling's of truth (we are eternal beings) upon a dish of deception and lies (we need not worry about God and judgement) does not make for a wholesome meal. And what Chopra offers is NOT wholesome, but highly toxic-deadly!.
But he is not alone in this spiritual con job. There are many others selling their wares of personal godhood. In an adjacent article entitled, "Why we love gurus," other so-called "spiritual leaders" are highlighted, Tony Robbins being one of the more recognizable. The article's subheading reads, "They seduce us by telling us what we want to hear: we're wonderful and we'll live forever." And we will live forever, they say, because of our own "divinity". How tragic if anyone could possibly think our sin tainted souls are divine; eternal, yes, whose destiny is heaven or hell, but not divine.
Certainly the last day's are upon us. For many guru's will appear in the last days claiming to be the Messiah with all the answers to living life to the fullest and that "there is no death" or that death is not to be feared. Yet, as the article clearly and rightly indicates, "The spiritual peace and enlightenment offered by pop gurus doesn't require a lifetime of discipline. It requires only that you suspend your critical judgment, attend their lectures and workshops and buy their books or tapes." Jesus often spoke "beware of false prophets." False prophets must come. God allows them to test our trust and faith in Him. The signs and wonders which follow these "wolves dressed in sheep's clothing" are not to be the criteria of truth. Like the priests during Moses time that imitated God's signs and miracles these can and may do likewise. But what are they saying? Where does the blood of Christ figure into their spiritual formulas? And lastly, is the whole counsel of God properly balanced in their doctrinal message? Or is it simply an "edited version" of God's Wisdom?
Sadly, the misinformation concerning spirituality is not limited to those outside the Christian faith; it is among us. I have spoken to this issue before on this site. There are many in the ministry today, who have aligned themselves with the New Agers in order to fleece the ignorant of their hard earned money with promises of success, prosperity and health. I have clearly labelled their false doctrines as "Spiritual Junkfood." So I need not spend much time on this unfortunate state of affairs within the Church.
What I do want to address is true, biblical spirituality and the spiritual life-that pearl of great value. And I offer this wisdom without price. I have no love-gifts to sell, I have no promises of healing for a donation, and don't ask you to support me because I am in such dire straits. No, I won't play on your emotions, but ask you to consider my words with clear thinking and objectivity based on God's word. So relax. Keep your money.
I find three keys to the spiritual life. And each is necessary to unlock the hidden mysteries of true spirituality. These keys are FOCUS, FILLING, and FELLOWSHIP. There is no spiritual life without these concepts and they are unique amongst other doctrines because these are founded upon the blood of our Savior, Christ Jesus. By that I mean, what I pray to teach is from the concept of grace. Positive confessions, tithing, and good works will not achieve intimacy with our Creator. And that is what true spiritual ity and the spiritual life are all about-having a personal and intimate relationship with God the Father. Anything less is carnal, self righteous and works related and has no eternal significance.
FOCUS: We will begin our study of the Spiritual life with the concept of FOCUS. Focus means to fix, concentrate, and narrow our attention upon a particular thought, word, or activity. When we focus, we eliminate all sources of distractions. We focus upon those things, activities or people that excite, arouse, please and interest us. And in our context of spirituality, our focus is to be upon Christ Jesus. We are to be "fixed" on Him. All eyes upon the Captain and Chief.
Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, Hebrews 12:2
We focus and fix our attention upon Christ because we recognize and have come to understand He is our eternal life and our source and provider of all our needs both in time and eternity to come. Our trust is upon Him. Our well-being is dependant upon Him. He has a plan and purpose for our lives, a cross to bear, if you will. It is our duty as faithful sons and daughter s to carry our cross. Lastly, outside of Him, we are nothing.
Focus upon Christ is indeed the expression of our faith and trust in Him. We look to Him because we believe Him and His word. And such faith and focus results in the filling of the Spirit. Filling refers to control, influence and power. When we are filled with the Spirit, we are under His control and influence and become empowered to live a righteous life-the spiritual life. The filling of the Spirit is an absolute must to live pleasingly before God. We cannot live a righteous life which pleases God in our own strength. Nor can we for a moment overcome the power and influence of Satan . Satan is greater than you and I. But when we are filled with the Spirit, greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world. HE WHO IS IN ME refers to the filling of the Spirit.
The filling of the Spirit is what God's Word refers as "sanctification." When filled with the Spirit, we are set apart from the world, the flesh and the devil. Yes, we are "in" the world, but no longer "of" the world. It is an important distinction. In the world refers to our residency here upon the earth, while of the world refers to being a part of and participating in the cosmic system of a man-centered philosophy called humanism. Humanism is the belief that man is supreme or divine as the New Agers like to call us. God is rejected or regulated to an impersonal being that has little or no role in the role of man. Humanism rejects the concept of human depravity but believes man is good. Yet if man is so good and divine, how can the humanists explain our world community constantly at war with one another. I speak of wars that take place between nations, cultures, sexes, races and the have's and have-nots.
It is the will of God we be filled with the Spirit. This is clear. Anything else, any other state or walk or disposition is unwise and foolishness. To live outside the filling of the Spirit and the spiritual life is a waste of time, unprofitable and without eternal significance. Hear the words of the Apostle Paul:
Be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. Do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with Spirit...
As Christians, our walk and manner of living is for such a short time-then eternity. The time we spend on the earth has eternal significance. Our lives will be judged-not our sins- those were dealt with at the cross, but our manner of life. Did we pursue our selfish ambitions or did we pursue righteousness according to God's Holy Word? And what of our fruit? Was it sweet or sour, good or rotten? These things will be judged with fire. That which remains, will have eternal significance and be rewarded by God appropriately. That which will be burned is forever lost.
So therefore it is imperative we spend our time in the filling of the Spirit and the Sphere of Faith. Time spent outside the Sphere of Faith is time forever wasted. You cannot serve God and mammon. We must choose that which we believe has our bests interests at heart and that is God.
Filling of the Spirit is living the spiritual life. And the spiritual life has great rewards in time and eternity to come. One of those great rewards is developing an intimate and personal relationship with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is our fellowship. The Greek word for fellowship is koinonia meaning intimacy, intercourse and participation. This is the highest we can hope to ascend in God's kingdom here on the earth. This is intimacy with God and it is far removed from the spiritual dribble taught by today's pop guru's and false messiahs.
If there is any spiritual intimacy enjoyed by today's plethora of guru's and self-appointed prophets, it is with demons, not with the Heavenly Father. From long ago, man has turned his back upon the One and true God and has worshipped and served idols. Those who follow false messiahs sacrifice their eternal lives and/or their eternal blessings for temporal pleasure, power, and riches. Moses rightly said such idolaters sacrifice to demons.
Spirituality, Part II Fellowship
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