
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.
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.