The Spiritual Life of the Believer: The Goal, Obligations of the Believer, and the Disciplines that Nurture it
This was written as a final paper in, Spiritual Life and Community spring semester 2007.
Man has been compelled to seek and experience a higher spiritual understanding of self since the fall of Adam and Eve. Without any guidance from God, we see throughout the Old Testament, man worshiping images, creating religions, and worshiping gods that they created. Man knew that there was something higher than self and sought to find it. The need to fulfill the spiritual desires of man has been sought through many different religions. Author, Elton Trueblood describes man’s spiritual quest as, “…a particular type of religion which we are historically justified in calling “spiritual” (1). Trueblood writes, “This spiritual religion was already implicated in the dim beginnings of the religious tradition and has never been entirely lost” (2). From the beginning up until today, we still long to fill the spiritual need within ourselves. All one has to do is turn on the T.V. or walk down the street and they are bombarded with advertisements for different religions, spirit guides, and palm readers. As noted in Dr. Koessler’s class, we are all spiritual beings (Koessler). A human knows directly or indirectly that he is a spiritual being. The Bible shows evidence of this in I Corinthians 2:11, “For who among man knows the thoughts of a man except the mans spirit within him” (NIV)? As Christians, we have come to know that this irresistible draw from the spirit is of God and designed for God. The spiritual life is the essence of all believers; it must be nurtured and trained through spiritual disciplines in order for the believer to fulfill the goal of Christ likeness.
God created man with a spirit. Genesis 2:7 says that when God created man, He breathed the breath (pneuma, spirit) of life into his nostrils and then the man became a living being (NIV). When, God did this with Adam, his spirit was perfect, without sin, and able to commune directly with God. Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s commandment to not eat of a certain fruit or they would die (Gen. 2. 16. 16-17). Adam and Eve were now subject to physical death but their disobedience also had a much more horrific effect, sin entered and they died spiritually making communion with God, impossible. The sin that entered Adam caused all of mankind to inherit a sin nature separating man from God (Rom. 5. 14).
As discussed in class, spiritual death is the result of Adams sin (Koessler). Although this is true of all people from birth, God made a way for us to be redeemed through, His son Jesus. Through Christ’s final sacrifice for our sin we are able to have life in Christ. Jesus made it possible that we may have life again, and a direct relationship with the father (Eph. 2. 5-6). When someone puts their faith in Christ, it is at that very moment that the sin nature no longer controls the spirit but we are controlled by the spirit where God now dwells (Rom. 8.9). It is at this point that the believer begins the “spiritual life”.
The spiritual life is the core of who a believer is. The New Testament is saturated with evidence pointing to the spiritual life and its importance. Author, George Gritter writes, “It is true that the term “spiritual life” is not found in scripture, but it does embody and represent a Biblical idea” (12). One such verse that embodies the meaning of the spiritual life is found in, Romans 7: 4-6,
“So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death. But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code” (NIV).
The church does not place much importance on the spiritual life nor does it seem to totally grasp its meaning. Placing a precise definition on exactly what the spiritual life is or what its goals are is easier said than done, but it is of utmost importance in the life of the believer. The ultimate goal is to mature so that the image of Christ is seen in all that the believer does. Gritter describes the “aim” of the spiritual life as follows, “Of course, the aim is the perfection of the individual and the full maturation and glory of the body of Christ, the church” (78). If the believer struggles spiritually and does not nurture and purposely aspire to mature, he will not affectively fulfill his calling nor will he represent Christ to those that are lost.
Although the gift of life is given freely, the believer has obligations to which he is liable. When a believer first gives his life to Christ, he is like a new born baby, vulnerable, weak, and in need of guidance. Peter describes the obligations of a new believer in 1 Peter 2:1-3,
“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good” (NIV).
The believer is still subject to the temptations of sin, we are obligated to move away from these sinful desires and towards Christ likeness. Paul used himself as an example when describing this to the church in Corinth, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ (NASB 1 Cor. 11.1). As discussed in class the obligations of the spiritual life takes “spiritual efforts”. The believer must resist evil desires, pursue holiness, concisely initiate a relationship with God and the body, and finally begin to imitate Christ in all we do (Koessler). To reach the goal that believers are called to takes practice, discipline, and nurturing. Paul describes reaching the “goal” in Philippians 3:12, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me (NIV).
As we discussed in class, discipline is usually thought of as, “trying harder,” to be like Jesus (Koessler). The believer is expected to, “train yourself to be godly” (NASB. 1 Tim. 7-8). Discipline is one of the biggest challenges that Christians face. Most Christians become ensnared in the mindset that God uses the amount or type of discipline we do as a gauge in which to measure our “spirituality”. Author, John Ortberg writes, “Many people become burdened because they think God measures their spiritual performance on the basis of certain disciplines” (49). Approaching the spiritual disciplines from this viewpoint will always lead to exhaustion and frustration. Ortberg, defines discipline as, “Any activity I can do by direct effort that will help me do what I cannot now do by direct effort” (51). Discipline is a benefit that helps us reach our goal of Christ likeness which does not come naturally. When a person start a new job and not go through training so that they know how to do what they are expected to do, to the best of their ability? It is the same with spiritual disciplines; our flesh knows only one way of being, sinful. A believer must learn how to be godly; it does not come naturally (NIV. Rom. 12. 2).
Gritter writes, “But the mind of Christ can and must be cultivated. We must not simply learn to think the thoughts of God, but it must become increasingly natural for us to do so in every situation (24). What does spiritual discipline look like? There are many references in the Bible, but the believer must know which ones to focus on. As discussed in class, the three objectives used to train well is knowing what the goal is, what your weaknesses are, and knowing what techniques will help most (Koessler). Some of the disciplines mentioned in the Bible are prayer, abstinence, solitude, fasting, and study of God’s word just to name a few (Koessler). I previously mentioned what the goal of the believer is; it is to be like Christ. The believer must now recognize the areas of weakness and start there. If a believer’s weakness is in prayer yet is strong in abstinence then, it is easy to conclude that the spiritual discipline of prayer should be a focus. Now that the believer has recognized that prayer should be a focus, he must know the techniques that will help him learn the discipline of prayer. Let’s discuss what, “training” for the spiritual discipline of prayer may look like.
A good place to approach the discipline of prayer is, through scripture and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Bible focuses on and emphasizes prayer. Even the disciples had to be taught how to pray (NASB. Luke. 11. 1). Jesus gave examples as well as warnings about how one should and should not pray (NIV. Matt. 6. 5-10). Acts 1:14, 2 Thessalonians 1: 11, 2 Timothy 1:3, and 1 John 5: 14-15 show that believers should pray often and according to God’s will (NIV). Now that the believer has seen what God’s word teaches about prayer, other believers should be an example and available to mentor and hold him accountable to this discipline. Now the believer in training can begin to implement these things and practice the discipline of prayer. There are different techniques that a person can use to help them train in any particular discipline. The one training must decide what technique best suites them.
The mark of a believer who is spiritually mature reflects Christ in their actions. Ask the question, “Do I see Jesus when I look at this person?” The marks of spiritual maturity are walking in the spirit, being led by the spirit, and producing the fruits of the spirit (Koessler). The Holy Spirit is crucial when walking out a spirit filled life. The Holy Spirit guides us and prompts us when we are going in the wrong direction. Author, Ortberg describes the guidance of the Holy Spirit as, “promptings,” he writes, “These promptings may come as conviction of sin, an assurance of God’s love, or a call to action. But they are crucial to the spirit guided life” (134). The Holy Spirit is also important in equipping the church. The Holy Spirit gives us gifts that are used to support and further the church through instruction, administration, and service (Koessler). If the above virtues are not seen in you or in the life of another believer, then there is need for spiritual training and discipline.
The spiritual disciplines should be ongoing in the life of all believers. Our goal is to, “be like Christ” (NIV. Phil. 3.10). Though we benefit from the spiritual life, it is not about us. The Apostle Peter writes,
“If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter. 4.11).
Unfortunately the church has been taught that the spiritual life is for and about them. When we begin to understand that the spiritual life and all that we do is to glorify God and advance His kingdom, the church will begin to selflessly serve, love, and more effectively minister in all areas. Author, George Gritter says it best in writing, “Through the completed redemption of His people and the recreation of all things, it will become evident that all opposition to God has been unavailing. In the end God has been robbed of nothing but receives all praise and honor (74). God receives all praise and honor through His servants; the salvation of man is for God’s glory.
Works Cited
God created man with a spirit. Genesis 2:7 says that when God created man, He breathed the breath (pneuma, spirit) of life into his nostrils and then the man became a living being (NIV). When, God did this with Adam, his spirit was perfect, without sin, and able to commune directly with God. Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s commandment to not eat of a certain fruit or they would die (Gen. 2. 16. 16-17). Adam and Eve were now subject to physical death but their disobedience also had a much more horrific effect, sin entered and they died spiritually making communion with God, impossible. The sin that entered Adam caused all of mankind to inherit a sin nature separating man from God (Rom. 5. 14).
As discussed in class, spiritual death is the result of Adams sin (Koessler). Although this is true of all people from birth, God made a way for us to be redeemed through, His son Jesus. Through Christ’s final sacrifice for our sin we are able to have life in Christ. Jesus made it possible that we may have life again, and a direct relationship with the father (Eph. 2. 5-6). When someone puts their faith in Christ, it is at that very moment that the sin nature no longer controls the spirit but we are controlled by the spirit where God now dwells (Rom. 8.9). It is at this point that the believer begins the “spiritual life”.
The spiritual life is the core of who a believer is. The New Testament is saturated with evidence pointing to the spiritual life and its importance. Author, George Gritter writes, “It is true that the term “spiritual life” is not found in scripture, but it does embody and represent a Biblical idea” (12). One such verse that embodies the meaning of the spiritual life is found in, Romans 7: 4-6,
“So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death. But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code” (NIV).
The church does not place much importance on the spiritual life nor does it seem to totally grasp its meaning. Placing a precise definition on exactly what the spiritual life is or what its goals are is easier said than done, but it is of utmost importance in the life of the believer. The ultimate goal is to mature so that the image of Christ is seen in all that the believer does. Gritter describes the “aim” of the spiritual life as follows, “Of course, the aim is the perfection of the individual and the full maturation and glory of the body of Christ, the church” (78). If the believer struggles spiritually and does not nurture and purposely aspire to mature, he will not affectively fulfill his calling nor will he represent Christ to those that are lost.
Although the gift of life is given freely, the believer has obligations to which he is liable. When a believer first gives his life to Christ, he is like a new born baby, vulnerable, weak, and in need of guidance. Peter describes the obligations of a new believer in 1 Peter 2:1-3,
“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good” (NIV).
The believer is still subject to the temptations of sin, we are obligated to move away from these sinful desires and towards Christ likeness. Paul used himself as an example when describing this to the church in Corinth, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ (NASB 1 Cor. 11.1). As discussed in class the obligations of the spiritual life takes “spiritual efforts”. The believer must resist evil desires, pursue holiness, concisely initiate a relationship with God and the body, and finally begin to imitate Christ in all we do (Koessler). To reach the goal that believers are called to takes practice, discipline, and nurturing. Paul describes reaching the “goal” in Philippians 3:12, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me (NIV).
As we discussed in class, discipline is usually thought of as, “trying harder,” to be like Jesus (Koessler). The believer is expected to, “train yourself to be godly” (NASB. 1 Tim. 7-8). Discipline is one of the biggest challenges that Christians face. Most Christians become ensnared in the mindset that God uses the amount or type of discipline we do as a gauge in which to measure our “spirituality”. Author, John Ortberg writes, “Many people become burdened because they think God measures their spiritual performance on the basis of certain disciplines” (49). Approaching the spiritual disciplines from this viewpoint will always lead to exhaustion and frustration. Ortberg, defines discipline as, “Any activity I can do by direct effort that will help me do what I cannot now do by direct effort” (51). Discipline is a benefit that helps us reach our goal of Christ likeness which does not come naturally. When a person start a new job and not go through training so that they know how to do what they are expected to do, to the best of their ability? It is the same with spiritual disciplines; our flesh knows only one way of being, sinful. A believer must learn how to be godly; it does not come naturally (NIV. Rom. 12. 2).
Gritter writes, “But the mind of Christ can and must be cultivated. We must not simply learn to think the thoughts of God, but it must become increasingly natural for us to do so in every situation (24). What does spiritual discipline look like? There are many references in the Bible, but the believer must know which ones to focus on. As discussed in class, the three objectives used to train well is knowing what the goal is, what your weaknesses are, and knowing what techniques will help most (Koessler). Some of the disciplines mentioned in the Bible are prayer, abstinence, solitude, fasting, and study of God’s word just to name a few (Koessler). I previously mentioned what the goal of the believer is; it is to be like Christ. The believer must now recognize the areas of weakness and start there. If a believer’s weakness is in prayer yet is strong in abstinence then, it is easy to conclude that the spiritual discipline of prayer should be a focus. Now that the believer has recognized that prayer should be a focus, he must know the techniques that will help him learn the discipline of prayer. Let’s discuss what, “training” for the spiritual discipline of prayer may look like.
A good place to approach the discipline of prayer is, through scripture and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Bible focuses on and emphasizes prayer. Even the disciples had to be taught how to pray (NASB. Luke. 11. 1). Jesus gave examples as well as warnings about how one should and should not pray (NIV. Matt. 6. 5-10). Acts 1:14, 2 Thessalonians 1: 11, 2 Timothy 1:3, and 1 John 5: 14-15 show that believers should pray often and according to God’s will (NIV). Now that the believer has seen what God’s word teaches about prayer, other believers should be an example and available to mentor and hold him accountable to this discipline. Now the believer in training can begin to implement these things and practice the discipline of prayer. There are different techniques that a person can use to help them train in any particular discipline. The one training must decide what technique best suites them.
The mark of a believer who is spiritually mature reflects Christ in their actions. Ask the question, “Do I see Jesus when I look at this person?” The marks of spiritual maturity are walking in the spirit, being led by the spirit, and producing the fruits of the spirit (Koessler). The Holy Spirit is crucial when walking out a spirit filled life. The Holy Spirit guides us and prompts us when we are going in the wrong direction. Author, Ortberg describes the guidance of the Holy Spirit as, “promptings,” he writes, “These promptings may come as conviction of sin, an assurance of God’s love, or a call to action. But they are crucial to the spirit guided life” (134). The Holy Spirit is also important in equipping the church. The Holy Spirit gives us gifts that are used to support and further the church through instruction, administration, and service (Koessler). If the above virtues are not seen in you or in the life of another believer, then there is need for spiritual training and discipline.
The spiritual disciplines should be ongoing in the life of all believers. Our goal is to, “be like Christ” (NIV. Phil. 3.10). Though we benefit from the spiritual life, it is not about us. The Apostle Peter writes,
“If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter. 4.11).
Unfortunately the church has been taught that the spiritual life is for and about them. When we begin to understand that the spiritual life and all that we do is to glorify God and advance His kingdom, the church will begin to selflessly serve, love, and more effectively minister in all areas. Author, George Gritter says it best in writing, “Through the completed redemption of His people and the recreation of all things, it will become evident that all opposition to God has been unavailing. In the end God has been robbed of nothing but receives all praise and honor (74). God receives all praise and honor through His servants; the salvation of man is for God’s glory.
Works Cited
The Bible. New American Standard Version.
Gritter, George. The Quest for Holiness or the Development of Spiritual Life. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eardmans Publishing Co., 1955. 12, 74-8.
Koessler, John. “God’s Gym: Training for Godliness.” Lecture. Moody Bible Institute, Chicago. Apr. 2007.
Koessler, John. “Growth & Effort,” Lecture. Moody Bible Institute, Chicago. Mar. 2007.
Koessler, John. “The Ministry of the Holy Spirit.” Lecture. Moody Bible Institute, Chicago. Feb. 2007.
Koessler, John. “Spiritual Death and Spiritual Life.” Lecture. Moody Bible Institute, Chicago. Feb. 2007.
Koessler, John. “The Spiritual Disciplines.” Lecture. Moody Bible Institute, Chicago. Apr. 2007.
Koessler, John. “What does it mean to be ‘spiritual?’.” Lecture. Moody Bible Institute, Chicago. Jan. 2007.
Koessler, John. “You’re Learning Styles.” Lecture. Moody Bible Institute, Chicago. May. 2007.
NIV [New International Version] Study Bible. Eds. Kenneth Barker, et al. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1995.
Ortberg, John. Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People: The Life you’ve Always Wanted. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1997. 49-51, 134.
Trueblood, Elton D. The Essence of Spiritual Religion. New York: Harper & Row Publishers, Inc., 1964. 1-2.
posted by Christ Follower @ 2:15 PM
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2 Comments:
Rodney and Grace...
So great to hear from you... Let's keep in touch...
blessings....
People should read this.
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