According to this scripture ...
”This new plan I'm making with Israel isn't going to be written on paper, isn't going to be chiseled in stone; This time I'm writing out the plan in them, carving it on the lining of their hearts. I'll be their God, they'll be my people. (Hebrews 8:10 MSG)”... we, who are in Christ, are already spiritual ... we have a heart to know Him ... to know His will ... we are drawn into a life of knowing God. We begin at a place of spirituality ... we are already spiritual ... seeking God is the natural outcome of a new regenerated heart.
Of course not everyone is spiritual ... not everyone has a new heart ... not everyone has embraced the ‘new plan’ that the scripture talks about ... not everyone embraces the Messiah Jesus. Think about Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well:
But the time is coming--it has, in fact, come--when what you're called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter. "It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself--Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration." The woman said, "I don't know about that. I do know that the Messiah is coming. When he arrives, we'll get the whole story." "I am he," said Jesus. "You don't have to wait any longer or look any further." (John 4:23-27 MSG)Here we see a conversation where Jesus addresses true spirituality. One where spirituality involves true heartfelt worship of the Messiah Jesus. Isn’t it interesting that Jesus says that it is not the 'where' of worship but the 'Who' of worship. True spirituality always is about the 'Who' and the 'who' ... 'Who' He is and 'who' we are ... if either is off then our spirituality is askew ... if both are on then we are truly spiritual. We are spiritual when we, by virtue of His grace, received a new heart as we embraced Jesus as our Messiah. How about you, are you spiritual?
I was momentarily scared when I saw the questions, “Can you be spiritual and not pray?” and “Can you be spiritual and not read the bible?”
ReplyDeleteI cannot tell you how many times I have heard the simple slap each other around using these little questions.
Great answer!
Good thoughts. However, I would add that to be filled and walking/living in the Spirit, one must read their bible and pray, in a non-legalistic sense, of course.
ReplyDeleteJanna -- My only concern with "one must read their bible and pray" is that it sounds like a formula to which I could add many other spiritual disciplines and sacraments. I think that all of that stuff (walking/living in the Spirit) is a result of being filled with the Spirit rather than a predessor to being filled with the Spirit.
ReplyDeleteMaybe we should consider what it means to worship? I don't see how we can have "true heartfelt worship" with our Savior without prayer and scriptural reading. For me, the act of worship with our Father is best achieved through open communication. I speak to Him through prayer and He to me through His Word.
ReplyDeleteAs for being spiritual without this ongoing communication with the Lord, I've seen first hand what happens when a man choses to cut off communication with the Lord yet remain a head-Christian. The heart of the man changes and he no longer exibits the characteristics of Jesus. If we don't read the Bible, we can't know it's contents. If we don't pray we forget who we are to answer to. Jesus knew the scripture and prayed to His Father, so by following His example it's my feeling that we should all do the same. Just a thought! :)
God bless.
Can you be spiritual and not pray?
ReplyDeleteSomewhere I heard that "conversation is the lifeblood of marriage." I believe that applies to our spiritual relationship. Without communication, it languishes.
Here is a different twist on the question:
ReplyDeleteWe are all spiritual, whether or not we are Christians. We all have spirits. God put them in us.
The only difference is that a Christians spirit is unified with God's Spirit.
(1 Cor. 6:17
But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.)
Why?
Because our spirit has been united with Christ's Spirit.
(Romans 8:15-16
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." [16] The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.)
Yeah...I could be wrong.
Thoughts?
If someone takes the position that the key to spirituality is the Bible, I ask how were all those people so spiritual way before the Bible was available in book form?
ReplyDeleteI'm all for the Bible. It is the book that reflects the story of God's Living Word. It contains the scriptures that have been written and collected through the ages. They are useful for all sorts of things.
But being spiritual is so much more than knowledge of the Bible. I'd say being spiritual is knowing and becoming like the God of the Bible.
Good post, Bob.
ReplyDeleteYes, the simple fact that the woman met her Messaih at a simple well; and had a simple conversation on what could have been any day of the week.
That is where we are. He is always at our "well" and readily available.
Hello! I wandered over here from your post at Heavenly Heartburn.
ReplyDeleteI would very much appreciate your opinion on a post I just put up today on my blog.
I think once you read it you will see why I would value your opinion.
Thanks for this post.