If being a Christian means being spiritual, it only stands to reason that we should have a good handle on the meaning of spirituality. I am currently reading a book entitled, "A Brief History of Spirituality", by Philip Sheldrake. He gives two definitions of sorts: one, a false sense of spirituality; and two, a Christian approach to spirituality.
1. A false sense of spirituality - A consumerist "Lifestyle spirituality", which promotes fitness, healthy living, and holistic well-being.
2. In Christian terms, spirituality refers to the way our fundamental values, lifestyles, and spiritual practices reflect particular understandings of God, human identity, and the material world as the context for human transformation.
(Philip Sheldrake, A Brief History of Spirituality).
A consumerist Lifestyle Spirituality has an egocentric focus. Its main purpose is to advance self. Everything else becomes secondary to that goal. Basically, it is a love relationship with one's self.
But Christian spirituality is outwardly focused upon God. As Isaiah says, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags." In other words, there is nothing we can do of ourselves that will make us spiritual in any way. Christian spirituality begins and ends with God. It is a constant process of transformation - God doing a good work in us.
Christian spirituality is an ever deepening love relationship with God through Jesus Christ, by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. There are certain biblical activities we must surrender ourselves to in order to open ourselves up to that transformation. For example: prayer, a holy love for each other, care and concern for our fellowman, to stand up for righteousness against injustice, and so on.
Each of us is on a spiritual journey which involves a process of transformation - to become more like Jesus and less like our human-sinful nature. It can be compared to the journey of marriage. Two people, a man and a woman, begin their journey through courtship unto marriage. They may think their love is deep and profound, but probably it hasn't really been tested at that point. It is not until they live together for 24/7, 365 days a year that they begin to know to whom they are really married.
Time together in marriage refines love and transforms it into the deepest intimacy known to man; second only to the deep intimacy one can have with God. Therefore, it only makes sense if one wants to deepen his relationship with God, one must spend more time with Him. This is why I refer to Christian spirituality as a journey involving constant transformation. We are being transformed into His image and likeness, after the person of Jesus Christ.
Beginning on May 1, 2011, I am starting a series of message on the Song of Songs. Here is a great question: Have you ever heard a series of messages on the Song of Songs? I have never preached a series of messages on this beautiful book.
It is about a deepening love relationship between a man and a woman. It can be used as an analogy of what our love relationship should be like with God. I believe by focusing on the Song of Songs in this next series of messages we will gain a better understanding of what true Christian spirituality is really all about.
If you want to prepare yourself for this awesome series of messages you can join me by reading Bernard of Clairvaux's 86 messages on the Song of Songs. I am reading one message per day for my devotional time; reading it; and then spending time in meditation upon it. Here is the address for these messages:
http://www.pathsoflove.com/bernard/songofsongs/contents.html
(P.S. If you are involved in the Breaking Free series, wait until after that series is done before using these messages for your devotional time)
Enjoy the journey.
-Leo
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