True Spirituality

Spiritualties are a big topic which covers a wide range of beliefs, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. We even talk now about secular saints; those regardless of beliefs have made what they call “a lasting contribution to the world.”

Worldly spiritualties overflow with terms like “soul,” and “spirit” used to mean most anything.  True spirituality comes about by being a Christian. “Becoming a Christian is neither by trying to live some sort of a Christian life or by hoping for some sort of a religious experience, but rather by accepting Christ as Savior.”  p3 True Spirituality. Tyndale House Publishers, 1971

 There is much written about Francis A. Schaeffer and his work. In True Spirituality Schaeffer writes that Christ commands us to die. I am indebted to these writings–especially what John Dube has written. Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. Luke 9:23-24

To the crowds these words elicited a certain curiosity. But to the disciples Jesus asks who they believed Him to be. Peter answers, The Christ of God.Luke 9:20  Even as one day follows another so does one cross follow another and Christ likens His cross-bearing to the kindred law of discipleship. He who wishes to be my disciple must be prepared to give up earthly ease and comfort, and be ready to bear the sufferings which will be sure to fall on him if he struggles after holiness.

And that whoever seeks to save his life will lose, but he/she who loses their life will save it. If one grasps for the spirit-like shadows of this earthly life that quickly pass there will be nothing to hold on to. But if one dies to his/her own life “for my sake,” they will most certainly find it again in heaven. Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him,we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; 2 Timothy 2:11-12

But we are also “called to live,” Schaeffer writes in his book. Our spiritual life in Christ is not temporary but eternal even now. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus Ephesians 2:6 Paul writes this not that we might thumb our noses at the enemy. We cannot hold grudges but rejoice that all of our names are written in the book of life.  The life of Rosaria Champagne Butterfield comes to mind who never turned away from those she loved in her former life but sought to love even more in Christ.

John Dube does a masterful job in focusing on Francis Schaeffer’s call for Christians to worship God together.  True spirituality …is a matter of our thoughts…Moral battles are not won in the external world first. They are always a result flowing naturally from a cause, and the cause is in the internal world of one’s thoughts. ”Schaeffer, 165. Worship together is not accomplished through the acknowledgment of bare facts. Our internal thoughts find communion with the God who is there.