by Wade E Taylor
“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace… Brethren, if a man is overtaken in a trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” Romans 8:6; Galatians 6:1 NKJ
It is difficult to express the idea of true “spirituality,” but it can be narrowed to a principle: In order to relate to and function spiritually, one must be “spiritually minded,” or be “in the Spirit.” For us to be considered as being “spiritual” indicates that we have come into a degree of spiritual balance and maturity wherein we are living and walking in an ongoing personal relationship with our Savior, Jesus.
“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine….” Ephesians 4:14
It also implies that we have been “set” into the Body of Christ, and both know and function in our position. For us to be considered as being spiritual means that we are living in absolute integrity, and have a positive testimony before all those to whom we relate, or interact with in life.
Some present truth and revelation from the Word of God as being an end in itself, feeling that this is the mark of spirituality. The revelation may be genuine and true, yet unless it effects a change within the life of the one who received this quickened “word,” it is, in the words of I Corinthians 13:1, but “sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal.”
Our consecration to the Lord, our walk with Him, our fellowship with the body of believers of which we are a part, our relationship to the world in which we live, must be of such a quality that the “revelation,” which we hear and receive, will find its expression and fulfillment through our daily life experience.
The quickened, revealed Word must become a personal reality so it can be both seen and handled by those to whom we witness.
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show to you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested to us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we to you….” I John 1:1-3
The written Word of God, and the life experience of Jesus became one. In the daily pattern of Jesus’ life, the world saw a visible demonstration of the outworking of the Word. In Acts 1:8, Jesus said, “You shall be witnesses.” That is, we ourselves are to be this witness.
The level of spiritual maturity to which we have attained, is not determined by the amount of, or the greatness of our revelations. Rather, our spiritual maturity relates to the consistent application of spiritual laws and truths to our daily life experience.
Objective truth must first be experienced and personalized within us before it is really ours. The Word will have redemptive power only as the world “handles” us and as a result, sees Jesus being manifested through us. If all Christians were to truly live and practice this, multitudes would respond and be brought into a salvation experience, and again marvel and say, “…Never man spoke like this man… For He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (John 7:46; Matthew 7:29).
The Lord is looking for those who are willing to accept and conform to the present Word that He is speaking, and separate themselves from all that might hinder or limit this flow of spiritual understanding and relationship.
“For to be carnally minded is death: but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Romans 8:6
Our daily walk with the Lord, our on-going fellowship with the Body of Believers of which we are a part, and our relationships in the world must all visibly reveal and show forth the effect of the written Word of God and of the revelations that we receive – the Word becoming (our) flesh.
“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” Ephesians 4:13-15
For us to be considered as being “spiritual” indicates that we have come into a degree of “spiritual maturity” in which we can discern and respond to His voice and presence, and maintain an active ongoing personal relationship with the Lord. There should be within us a “measure” (30-60-100 fold) of the “substance” of God, which others can sense and relate to.
“God is Spirit, they that worship Him must worship in Spirit and in Truth” John 4:24
Thus, in order to relate to spirituality, one must be “spiritually sensitive and perceptive.”
“Now it came to pass, as they went, that He entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard His word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving…. Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.” Luke 10:38-40; John 11:1
This was one family – two women and a man, who not only lived in the times of Jesus, but also live within us. Martha refers to our service, or ministry; Mary refers to our devotional life; Lazarus refers to our Adamic nature.
Martha complained to Jesus that Mary would not help her serve, but Jesus did not tell Martha to stop serving, as each is essential. They are sisters and cannot be separated, as each has an important part in our life experience. Lazarus, their brother, was sick, which speaks of the Adamic nature that must die.
Thus, when Jesus entered into their house (our life experience), Martha (our ministry) will begin to serve; Mary (our devotional life) will begin to worship; and Lazarus (our Adamic nature) will begin to die. Each of these is to function in a “balanced” relationship to each other (one family).
No one of them should have preeminence or priority over the others. However, the Holy Spirit spotlight may shine brightly on one aspect of our lives at certain times. This “balance” should be maintained in our personal life, and also, in the ministry of the Church.
Especially at this present time, the Lord is taking the headship of His corporate body in order to demonstrate His life through our lives. Therefore, He is looking for those who will conform to the truth and revelation that is coming forth in this hour.
This is the mark and witness of true Spirituality.