This month I have been talking about Spiritual Fitness and have the privilege of addressing the topic a fifth Monday. 

I stated that it is not a really complicated subject and that spirituality is attained by faith in the person of Jesus Christ.  Everything else after that classifies as maturity or spiritual growth.  So, I will conclude with three points on this matter that sums up the tremendous value and impact of Spiritual Fitness.

1.      Christ came as an agent of change. Christ changed religion, which is an attempt of man to please God as established and illustrated in the pages of the Old Testament, to a relationship as revealed in the New Testament. Christ promised, because of His personal sacrifice, he would “never leave you or forsake you.”

2.     Christ introduced the concept of a new kind of Love. By changing the nature of this relationship with God, Christ elevated the value of people. No longer was one group more highly thought of than another; but for the first time every person that became a Christ follower could boldly come into the presence of a Holy God. I hope the significance of that will permeate your heart and mind.

3.     The Bible is the inspired Word of God. This Holy Book is given so that you might have a guide to live your life by. More people have been lifted from the depths of despair by becoming a Christ follower than any other “pull yourself up by the bootstraps” method. The Bible then becomes a guidebook of “How then shall we live.” I don’t look at it as a book of rules that a person must follow, but rather as a book filled with a formula for successful long-term living (and that’s the only kind that counts). It is a book complete with illustrations and warnings of those things that could trip you up and cause destruction in your life.

  So, what about Love? It is a simple formula for beginning a relationship that elevates you to lofty heights, and provides the guidelines for a happy life. My prayer for you is that you will embrace the happiness and joy this kind of LOVE can bring into your life.  It works every time! God, Himself, makes that promise.  

We started out this area of spiritual fitness by saying that religion is an institution of man and spirituality is a position made by God with Jesus Christ as intermediary – the gift given to mankind as a means to approach the righteous throne of God.

We know all these facts as a result of the Holy Scriptures (Bible) that have been preserved all these generations that we might know these things.  Therein lies the key, reading the records that have guided and changed the lives of those that seek to know God.

The Bible is the only way we know for sure who God is.  If we take another’s word for who God is without reading and understanding for ourselves the truth, we risk a warped view of the glory and majesty of God Himself.     You see, when a person makes the decision I talked about in the segment on “How does one acquire spirituality?” there is a second gift given to that individual.  It is the Spirit of God often referred to as the Holy Spirit.

The function of the Holy Spirit is to give you discernment and understanding of the knowledge you need to understand the Bible and live a life congruent with a Spiritually Fit person.  Notice I didn’t say perfect person since none of us will ever achieve perfection this side of heaven.  However, you will achieve a greater degree of peace and satisfaction in life as you reach for a closer relationship with God.

I’ve titled today’s segment Under the Influence since a spiritually fit person demonstrates signs of the direction they are going.  In all matters of life and living life, their words and their actions are congruent with a person that is spiritually fit.

Let me explain.  One of my favorite ways to save face when I come across someone I haven’t seen in a long time and I sort of recognize them but I’m not sure is to say, “Hi, I’m Bob.  If you were on trial for being Chuck Rancour, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”  Whether it’s the person I thought it was or not, we both get a good laugh and a reunion with a familiar person or an introduction to another interesting person.  

And so it is with the spiritually fit person.  There are certain familiar characteristics with a Christ follower that would allow them to be identified as a Christian.  As a general rule, they are universally recognized by the attributes of a person with a true moral compass.  A clear moral direction that always seems to point true north.  It’s something that is a part of their very nature day in and day out that seems to promote inspiration and shed light in a world full of imitations and phonies.

So, how do you get there from here if you aren’t cut from that same cloth?  Tune in next week and you’ll get more information.

by Bob Rill, Chaplain

How does one acquire spirituality?  One of the most important steps you will take in your life on earth is to embrace Christianity.  Salvation through Christ is the only way to true spirituality.  Salvation begins with God.  It is a gift that you and I must understand and personally accept as a solution to our personal dilemma.

While God wishes to have an intimate relationship with us, we are separated because of our sin nature.  There is nothing we can do through our own efforts to please a Holy God.  Isaiah 64:6 says, “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags…” 

So, what’s the dilemma?  We have a problem. 

Our sin separates us from God.  That leaves us spiritually empty.  It is impossible for us to find peace with God through our own efforts.  Our attempts to gain favor with Him are futile.

Then there’s the gift.   

Salvation then is a gift from God.  He offers this gift through His Son, Jesus Christ.  Easter is a time to remember the work that Christ did on our behalf by sacrificing His life on the cross.  You see, the penalty for our sin is death and Christ took our place on the cross, paying once and for all the penalty for your sin and mine.

Jesus is the only way to God.  Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.  There is nothing you or I ever did to deserve that gift.  It is freely given by God.  So, if you want to be truly spiritual, Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

Spirituality 101
Bob Rill, Chaplain

This month we will explore what it is for a person to be spiritually fit.  I love what Dr. Ken McFarland said about God creating man.  He said, “God made man inherently a little lonely so that he would seek Him.”

You see, spirituality is not supposed to be some magical concept that means something different to different people.  Frequently we define a person’s spirituality by certain evidences.  He goes to church every Sunday or he/she is a person of faith and prayer.  Often such a one is described as a very religious person.

Simply put, religion is an institution developed by man while spirituality is a position made by God for those who have chosen to follow Him.

This simple concept has been clear since the beginning of recorded history.  So, why the confusion?  Well, I believe there is a two-fold answer to that question.

1)      First of all there is no definitive, measurable result that makes a person more spiritual.  Although, as mentioned before, there are evidences of a person’s spiritual position such as Bible study and church attendance, these are mere signs of a person’s level of maturity rather than greater spirituality.

2)      Spirituality is one of those forbidden table topics because it might make folks feel uncomfortable.  (Why are we so averse to being a little uncomfortable?)

To become a Christian means only one thing.  A person must decide to be a Christ follower.  The Bible says a person becomes a new creature in Christ.  There is no greater or lesser degree of Spirituality than a person’s secure position in Christ.