Does Your View of Spirituality Matter
You decide — knowing the answer may be life-changing
A physical man does not receive the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot get to know [them], because they are examined spiritually…. ~PAUL OF TARSUS, 1 Corinthians 2:14–15
I, like millions of others on this planet, have contemplated this question. After much study, research, contemplation, and application, I believe I’ve found my answer.
However, ask a thousand people what they think spirituality is and you’ll receive a thousand different answers. The word itself is singular in intent but by man’s interpretation has become infinitely plural — making it confusing and difficult to understand.
If we consider that the word’s original context was directly linked to the belief in a Creator, Originator, and God, then wouldn’t you agree that it would be worth the effort to get his viewpoint on the matter?
Why does it matter
“TO BE carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace,” wrote the apostle Paul. (Romans 8:6, King James Version)
A large part of humanity believes that some form of spirituality is essential to happiness and fulfilling one’s life purpose. In examining many of the opinions written on this matter, I found that a lot of people view spirituality, not as a requirement with a divinely prescribed formula, but more as a self-styled adornment of life.
Modern usages tend to refer to a subjective experience of a sacred dimension[9] and the “deepest values and meanings by which people live”,[10][11] often in a context separate from organized religious institutions,[12] such as a belief in a supernatural (beyond the known and observable) realm,[13] personal growth,[14] a quest for an ultimate or sacred meaning,[15] religious experience,[16] or an encounter with one’s own “inner dimension”.[17] ~Wikipedia-Spirituality
God’s Viewpoint
(God’s viewpoint can only be perceived through the information he caused to be revealed through the book that claims his authorship — the Bible)
If the statement by the apostle Paul in Romans 8:6 is true, then the matter of spirituality is not just about our personal philosophy, cultural norm, expedient personal preferences, or oscillating beliefs. It is, in fact, connected to our prospect of life or death.
The word itself is singular in intent but by man’s interpretation has become infinitely plural — making it confusing and difficult to understand.
So then — what is true spirituality and can it be found by anyone
From the bible accounts, it’s easily discernible that the person with the highest level of spirituality who ever lived on earth, was God’s Son, Jesus Christ.
For that reason, we can understand why the apostle Paul taught that the identifying mark of whether a person possessed true spirituality or not depended on his having the “Mind of Christ”. 1 Corinthians 2:14–16.
What does that mean? Have you ever heard the saying, ‘like father — like son’? Jesus, according to the scriptures, perfectly mirrored his Father’s thinking and attributes, so much so, that Jesus himself said that those who had seen and heard him had also, in effect, seen and heard his Father.
If a person acquires ‘The Mind of Christ’, he will think, speak, and act as Jesus would. In so doing, he resembles Jesus who, in turn, resembled his God and Father — the ultimate spiritual Being — the very source of spirituality.
So according to God’s perspective — true spirituality is that which follows closely the pattern his Son set for us while on earth.
Can anyone learn and acquire ‘The Mind of Christ’? Certainly! The Bible and bible literature is available in whole or part to essentially everyone on earth. This internet site offers several bible translations, books, magazines, videos, music, and more in over 900 languages.
Spirituality Checklist
If we follow a simple list of qualities and traits that made Jesus the spiritual person he was, we should be able to start our own spiritual growth.
- Jesus learned spirituality from observing and listening to his Father. He urges us to do the same in John 17:3.
- Jesus relied heavily on the power of the Holy Spirit which he received from his Father. He teaches us to be guided by that same power that is divinely given. Galatians 5:22, 23
- Jesus believed in and practiced communicating with his Father through prayer while on earth. Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16; 22:41
- Jesus lived in accord with his Father’s standards and expressed will. He taught any who would listen about the Kingdom of God and offered his perfect life as a ransom for all redeemable mankind — opening to them the prospect of eternal life. His last command before leaving the earth, to those who would follow his example, is recorded for us in Matthew 28:19, 20.
Conclusion
In my mind, the only opinion that really matters on this subject is God’s. Why? because the ultimate judgment on what he will accept or reject has always been his. At no time did he give mankind the right to determine for themselves what true spirituality was. If his Son, Jesus, didn’t make that decision for himself, who am I to think I can create a better form of spirituality than the example I was given through him?
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