Episodes

  • The Spiritual Life Lesson 8 - Dedication to God Part 4

    The Spiritual Life Lesson 8 - Dedication to God Part 4
    Sep 1 2024
    A New Testament person who exemplifies living in submission to God is the Apostle Paul. Despite his weaknesses and failures, Paul’s life demonstrates steady submission to God’s will. His transformation from a persecutor of Christians to a devoted apostle of Christ illustrates this submission. Unlike most Christians, Paul surrendered to the Lord very shortly after his conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19). Paul dedicated his life to preaching the gospel and establishing churches throughout the Roman Empire. Later in his life, Paul said, “I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24). Paul’s dedication to spreading the Gospel, despite facing numerous hardships, exemplifies submission to God’s mission. His letters to early Christian communities reveal his deep commitment to God’s mission. Paul traveled, preached, and endured hardships to spread the gospel (2 Cor 11:23-28), facing persecution, imprisonment, and physical suffering while remaining steadfast in his mission. Paul was in submission to the Lord, but he also acknowledged his sinfulness and weaknesses. Paul’s acknowledgment of the presence of evil within him is a candid admission of the internal struggle every believer faces between the flesh and the spirit (Rom 7:18-25). In this passage, Paul expresses the ongoing struggle between his desire to do good, which aligns with God’s law, and the sinful nature that still influences his actions. John Witmer states: "In relating his personal experience in Romans 7:14-25, Paul consistently used the present tense whereas he had used the imperfect and aorist tenses. Obviously, he was describing his present conflict as a Christian with indwelling sin and its continuing efforts to control his daily life. The clause, “sold under sin” (kjv), describes an unregenerate person; but sin also resides in a believer, who is still subject to sin’s penalty of physical death. As a result, indwelling sin continues to seek to claim what it considers its property even after one has become a Christian."[1] In Romans 7:14, Paul says “the Law is spiritual,” which means it speaks to the spiritual, inner part of the believer. God, when giving the Law through Moses, was first concerned about their inner person, directing them to “love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul” (Deut 10:12). Clearly this speaks to the immaterial part of the believer. Despite Paul’s genuine commitment to God and his desire to live righteously, he recognized the reality of sin’s presence within himself. This is why Paul could say, “I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good” (Rom 7:21). This struggle doesn’t negate his faithfulness but rather highlights his dependence on God’s grace and the transformative power of God’s Word. Paul consistently followed God’s leading, even when it led to difficult and dangerous situations. His missionary journeys and willingness to suffer for the gospel demonstrate his obedience (Acts 20:22-24). His past as a persecutor of Christians (Phil 3:6, Gal 1:13) and subsequent transformation highlight God’s ability to use anyone for His purposes. Paul’s letters are filled with teachings on living a life pleasing to God, and he mentored many, such as Timothy and Titus, ensuring the continuation of the gospel message (1 Tim 1:2, Tit 1:4). Despite numerous trials, Paul remained faithful, writing to the Philippians about pressing on towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Phil 3:13-14). His life serves as an example of how, through submission to God, one can be transformed and used mightily despite one’s imperfections. Examples of Believers who Submitted Partially or Temporarily Will the majority of believers surrender all their lives to Him? Generally, no. The biblical pattern is that Jesus will be Lord of some areas of their life, while they keep other areas to themselves. Charles Ryrie states, “The cliché ‘If He is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all’ is simply that—a cliché and not a biblical or theological truth. Jesus can be Lord of aspects of my life while I withhold other areas of my life from His control.”[2] We observe examples of temporary or partial submission throughout Scripture. From the start, the Exodus generation was positive toward God and “did as the LORD had commanded” (Ex 12:28), demonstrating they had “believed in the LORD” (Ex 14:31). However, after being in the wilderness for a while and hearing the disparaging report of the ten spies about Canaan (Num 13:31-33), the Israelites turned negative, complained greatly, and requested to return to Egypt (Num 14:1-4). As a result of their ongoing ...
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • The Spiritual Life Lesson 7 - Dedication to God Part 3

    The Spiritual Life Lesson 7 - Dedication to God Part 3
    Aug 25 2024
    For Christians, there is blessing through submission to God. This blessing comes from operating within the sphere of God’s love and laws, which establish boundaries for us to thrive and survive.[1] This is because “a man’s way is not in himself, nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps” (Jer 10:23); rather, “The steps of a man are established by the LORD, and He delights in his way” (Psa 37:23). As God’s children, we are instructed, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Prov 3:5-6). Living in submission to God means putting His will above our own, trusting in His plan, and following His directives. It entails aligning our thoughts, words, and actions with God’s will and commandments. This submission is characterized by humility, trust, and obedience to follow God’s directives over personal desires. In the Old Testament, Abraham exemplified submission when God called him to leave his homeland and go to a land that He would show him. Moses wrote, “Now the LORD said to Abram, ‘Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you…So Abram went forth as the LORD had spoken to him” (Gen 12:1, 4). Abraham’s obedience to the Lord made him “the friend of God” (Jam 2:23; cf., 2 Ch 20:7; Isa 41:8). When God said to Isaiah, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us? (Isa 6:8a), Isaiah responded, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isa 6:8b). And when it was revealed to Mary that she would conceive in her womb and bear the humanity of Christ, she said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Jesus, the Perfect Example of Submission Jesus Christ provides the perfect example of submission to God. He’s the perfect example because He is perfect and never disobeyed the Lord. Jesus said, “I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 5:30), and “I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38). In the Garden of Gethsemane before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will” (Matt 26:39; cf., Matt 26:42, 44). Paul tells us that Jesus “humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phil 2:8). Jesus’ willingness to submit to the Father’s will, even to the point of death, is the ultimate example of submission. Jesus never deviated from the Father’s course for Him. Jesus’ submission to the Father started when He was very young. By age twelve, Jesus knew God was His Father and what the Father’s mission was for Him (Luke 2:40-47).[2] Isaiah wrote, “The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of disciples, that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple” (Isa 50:4). This passage refers to Jesus’ humanity, where God the Father would educate Jesus as His disciple. This education enabled Him to minister to others, as He says, “that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word” (Isa 50:4b). To those who are weary in their souls, a divinely spoken word can lift the spirit and revive the heart (see Matt 11:28). And Jesus’ discipleship training took place in the early morning hours, as Messiah states, “He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple” (Isa 50:4c). According to Arnold Fruchtenbaum, “During His boyhood in Nazareth, every morning, Jesus was awakened by His Father in the early hours of the morning to receive instruction. In this way Jesus learned who He was, what His mission was, and how to act and react accordingly.”[3] As a human boy, Jesus had to be educated, which meant the discipline of acquiring knowledge over time. Because of His daily discipline, Jesus was fluent in the Scriptures by age 12. Fruchtenbaum states: "The New Testament gives us an account of a 12 year old Jesus visiting the Temple in Jerusalem for the first time (Luke 2:41–50). By the age of 12 Jesus was fully conversant with the Hebrew Scriptures and able to debate deep spiritual matters with the leading theologians of the day. Furthermore, when Jesus is later rebuked by His mother for remaining in the Temple, He replies, “Did you not know I would be in My Father’s house?” This one statement shows that by the age of 12 Jesus knew that Joseph was not His father, knew that God was His Father, and therefore understood that He was the Messiah of Israel."[4] Jesus was fully submissive to the Father, saying, “The Lord GOD has opened My ear; and I was not disobedient nor did I turn back” (Isa 50:5). Another translation reads, “The sovereign LORD has spoken to me clearly; I have not ...
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • The Spiritual Life Lesson 6 - Dedication to God Part 2

    The Spiritual Life Lesson 6 - Dedication to God Part 2
    Aug 18 2024
    Scripture tells us, as Christians, to “Submit to God” (Jam 4:7), and “present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God” (Rom 6:13), and “to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship” (Rom 12:1).[1] These directives are to Christians, calling us to a surrendered life to God. Concerning Romans 12:1, Earl Radmacher states: "Based on God’s mercy (Rom 9:11, 15, 16, 18, 23; 11:30–32), Paul entreats believers to present their bodies as a living sacrifice, meaning they should use their bodies to serve and obey God (Rom 6:13). Such giving of the body to God is more than a contrast with a dead animal sacrifice, it is “newness of life” (Rom 6:4). Holy means set apart for the Lord’s use; acceptable means pleasing to Him; and reasonable indicates that such a gift is the only rational reaction to all the good gifts God has showered on us. [bolding his]"[2] That Paul instructs his Christian readers to “present yourselves to God” (Rom 6:13) and “to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God” (Rom 12:1a) would imply they had not made this important decision but needed to do so. Paul called them to act, directing them to exercise their volition in order that they might move forward in their spiritual life, which, he says, “is your spiritual service of worship” (Rom 12:1b). God has done so much to provide our salvation, offering redemption for sins through the death of Christ on the cross; therefore, it is only natural that a life dedicated to Him, born out of gratitude and appreciation, would follow in response. Submissive Christians will, at a point in time, dedicate their lives to Christ. This is usually some defining moment in their life, perhaps a crisis, where they commit themselves to the Lord.[3] This initial act of dedication will be followed by acts of restoration when failure occurs (1 John 1:9). Dedication is like a marriage ceremony that occurs only once. The life and health of the marriage is what follows, and this is built on many decisions to love and be faithful. If there is failure in the marriage, it does not require a new wedding ceremony, but humility, forgiveness, and the readjustment of the offender to the offended, and the walk of love that reflects a healthy relationship. Whereas Romans 12:1 pertains to the Christian’s act of dedication to God, Romans 12:2 addresses how to begin the process of moving forward in our spiritual life. Paul wrote, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom 12:2). First, we are not to be conformed to the world in which we live. The word “conformed” translates the Greek verb suschematizō (συσχηματίζω), which, according to Louw-Nida, means “to form or mold one’s behavior in accordance with a particular pattern or set of standards—to shape one’s behavior, to conform one’s life.”[4] Here, the verb is in the imperative mood, which means it’s a command to be obeyed, and in the present tense, which speaks to ongoing action. Pauls’ reference to “this world” refers to Satan’s world system, which consists of those values and philosophies that originate with Satan and are contrary to the character and will of God. This means we are nonconformists who refuse to be pressed into the world’s mold of values and practices. In contrast to being conformed to Satan’s world system, Paul says Christians are to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom 12:2b). The word “transformed” translates the Greek verb metamorphoō (μεταμορφόω), which, according to BDAG, means “to change inwardly in fundamental character or condition, be changed, be transformed.”[5] Here we have another verb in the imperative mood, which means it’s a command to be obeyed, and in the present tense, which speaks to ongoing action. Satan wants to control us by means of our sinful natures, demonic forces, and external pleasures and pressures, in order to get us to align with the world system he’s created. But God does not want us to conform to Satan’s system, but to be transformed on the inside so that we can walk with Him (Gal 5:16, 25) and resist Satan (Jam 4:7; 1 Pet 5:9). Transformation is a process that starts with God who works in the heart of the believer who is surrendered to Him. According to Warren Wiersbe, “The world wants to control your mind, but God wants to transform your mind (see Eph 4:17–24; Col 3:1–11)…If the world controls your thinking, you are a conformer; if God controls your thinking, you are a transformer.”[6] This process of transformation involves the renovation of the mind and the recalibration of our thoughts according to ...
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    1 hr and 22 mins
  • The Spiritual Life Lesson 5 - Dedication to God

    The Spiritual Life Lesson 5 - Dedication to God
    Aug 11 2024

    For Christians, dedication to God is the starting point for the spiritual life and the advance to Christian maturity. Dedication is a synonym for commitment, devotion, loyalty, and positive volition. According to Charles Ryrie, “There is perhaps no more important matter in relation to the spiritual life than dedication.”[1] In another place he states, “Dedication concerns the subjection of my life to Jesus Christ as long as I live.”[2] For the Christian, dedication starts at a moment in time, and continues, ideally, for the rest of one’s life, as the child of God walks in ongoing obedience to the Lord.[3] After being born again, some believers quickly dedicate themselves to the Lord and begin their journey of spiritual growth. For other Christians, this dedication may come later, perhaps even years later (as it did with me).

    Dedication is not a requirement for salvation. That would add works to the gospel message (1 Cor 15:3-4), and that’s wrong. Salvation is a free gift (Rom 6:23), given by God as an act of grace (Eph 2:8-9). Initial salvation is about justification, which is a one-and-done event that occurs at the moment of faith in Christ (Rom 3: 28; 4:4-5; 5:1; 8:33). Paul said we are “justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus” (Rom 3:24). Justification is a single act that occurs at salvation and is not to be confused with our experiential sanctification, which occurs over time. According to Norman Geisler, “Justification is an instantaneous, past act of God by which one is saved from the guilt of sin—his record is cleared and he is guiltless before the Judge (Rom 8:1).”[4] As Christians, we are justified in God’s sight because Christ has born all our sin upon the cross and paid our sin debt in full (John 19:30; Col 2:14), and after we trust in Christ as our Savior, God freely gives His righteousness to us (Rom 5:17; 2 Cor 5:21; Phil 3:9). After we are saved eternally, God calls us into a lifelong walk with Him. Dedication happens after we are saved, when we present ourselves to God for service (Rom 6:13; 12:1-2; Jam 4:7), and walk in obedience to His will (1 Pet 1:14-15). This relates to our sanctification, which is ongoing, as long as we live. In the sanctification process, the Christian is constantly recalibrating his/her thinking, values, words and actions to conform to the character and will of God. Dedication is a requirement for spiritual growth, as the believer with positive volition is yielded to God the Holy Spirit and is willing to learn and live God’s Word. Spirituality is unhindered as long as there is positive volition to God.

    God has provided everything we need to live the spiritual life. He has redeemed us by the blood of Christ (1 Pet 1:18-19; 1 Cor 6:20), forgiven our sins (Acts 10:43; Eph 1:7), caused us to be born again (John 1:12-13; 1 Pet 1:3, 23), given us eternal life (John 3:16; 10:28), adopted us as His children (Gal 4:5; Eph 1:5), made us saints in Christ (Rom 1:7; 1 Cor 1:2), given the Holy Spirit to indwell us (1 Cor 3:16), brought us into “the kingdom of His beloved Son” (Col 1:13), given us a new spiritual nature (Rom 7:22; Eph 4:22-24; Col 3:9-10), provided a spiritual gift (Rom 12:6; 1 Pet 4:10), blessed us “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph 1:3), and provided divine revelation in the Bible to educate us on how to live righteously (2 Tim 3:16-17; cf. Psa 1:1-3).

    Dr. Steven R. Cook

    [1] Charles C. Ryrie, Balancing the Christian life (Chicago Ill., Moody Press, 1994), 77.

    [2] Ibid., 80.

    [3] I say “ideally” because some believers, like Solomon, deviate in their walk with the Lord. Some will return to their walk of faith. Others will not. Whatever the final outcome of one’s life, any spiritual advancement must begin with a moment of dedication.

    [4] Norman L. Geisler, Systematic Theology, Volume Three: Sin, Salvation, 235.
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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • The Spiritual Life Lesson 4 - The Disciplined Life

    The Spiritual Life Lesson 4 - The Disciplined Life
    Aug 4 2024
    I define spirituality as: The life the Christian experiences when properly living in dependence upon the Holy Spirit and walking according to Scripture. Spirituality assumes regeneration, as one cannot be spiritual without being born again to new life through God the Holy Spirit (John 3:3; 1 Pet 1:3, 23). This new spiritual birth—or regeneration—occurs at the moment of faith in Christ, when one believes in Jesus as Savior (John 3:15-16; 6:40; 20:31; Acts 4:12; 16:31). Once they are born again, their spiritual life will advance in proportion to their intake of Scripture and their willingness to apply it as the Holy Spirit directs. Since we cannot live what we do not know, it’s necessary to learn God’s Word in order to live His will. A Christian who consistently studies and applies God’s Word will reach spiritual maturity more quickly than one who studies little. Christians who are ignorant of God’s Word, or unwilling to obey it, will default to human viewpoint thinking, emotion, or experience as the rule for life. Consequently, immature Christians may define spirituality by non-biblical terms or by their feelings at any given moment. This humanistic and emotional metric will inevitably lead to uncertainty, instability, and inconsistency in their walk with the Lord due to incorrect thoughts and vacillating emotions. God wants our thinking to be properly calibrated according to His Word (Psa 1:2-3; 2 Tim 2:15; 3:16-17; 1 Pet 2:2), and to live by faith (2 Cor 5:7; Heb 10:38; 11:6), which eventually yields fruit (Gal 5:22-23) and a stable Christian life (Psa 119:165; Isa 26:3; Phil 4:6-7; Col 3:16; 2 Tim 1:7). But time is a key ingredient for the Christian to reach spiritual maturity. Charles Ryrie states: "Christian maturity is the growth which the Holy Spirit produces over a period of time in the believer. To be sure, the same amount of time is not required for each individual, but some time is necessary for all. It is not the time itself which is determinative of maturity; rather it is the progress made and growth achieved which is all-important."[1] As the Christian learns and lives God’s Word by faith and yields to the Spirit’s guiding, there will be a gradual transformation of character that will be seen in one’s thoughts, values, words, and actions as they pertain to family, friends, work, finances, and social life. Wendell Johnston states: "People who are spiritual do certain things as well as refrain from some things. They will express love to God without reservation and will love others in the body of Christ. They will even show love and graciousness to their enemies (Rom 12:9, 20–21). Spiritual people seek to live according to the principles set forth in Scripture and desire to study the Word of God and put into practice what it says (2 Tim 2:15; 3:14–17; Heb 4:12; 5:11–14; 1 Pet 2:2). They will seek to worship God individually and with other believers (Heb 10:22–25). Spirituality will be expressed by proper conduct in the home (Eph 5:22–6:4; 1 Pet 3:3–7), and people who are spiritual will lead Christlike lives in society and will respect civil authority (1 Pet 2:13–17). They will live godly lives even in a hostile environment (1 Pet 3:13–17)."[2] Furthermore, there is always opposition to spiritual growth, for we live in a fallen world and are confronted with many obstacles and distractions that seek to push or pull us away from God. Though constant distractions are all around us, we move forward by “destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 10:5). Bringing our thoughts into captivity means focusing our minds on God and His Word (Psa 1:1-2; Isa 26:3; Prov 3:5-6; Col 3:1-2), and not allowing our thoughts to be bogged down and trapped with the cares of this world (Matt 6:25-34). This requires discipline. Spiritual Discipline Spiritual maturity is the product of a disciplined life that is consciously and intentionally surrendered to God on a moment-by-moment basis. Discipline is doing what we ought to do, whether we want to do it or not, because it’s right. Christian discipline is living as God wants us to live, as obedient-to-the-Word believers who walk by faith and not feelings. The proper Christian life glorifies the Lord, edifies others, and creates in us a personal sense of destiny that is connected with the God who called us into service. As we advance in our walk with the Lord, spiritual maturity is an important target, and this requires discipline of mind and will. Paul, when writing to his young friend, Timothy, says, “discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness” (1 Tim 4:7). Paul does not deny the benefit of bodily discipline, but, when compared to godly discipline, says it “is only of little profit” (1 Tim 4:8a). Godliness translates the Greek noun eusebeia (εὐσέβεια) ...
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • The Spiritual Life Lesson 3 - What is Spirituality?

    The Spiritual Life Lesson 3 - What is Spirituality?
    Jul 28 2024
    The word pneumatikos (πνευματικός) is used by NT writers to refer to divine revelation (Rom 7:14; 1 Cor 2:13-14; Col 1:9), demonic forces (Eph 6:12), blessings from God (Eph 1:3), a mental attitude of joy and worship (Eph 5:18-20; Col 3:16), our future glorified body (1 Cor 15:42-44), the church as a spiritual house (1 Pet 2:4-5), supernatural gifts from the Spirit (Rom 1:11; 1 Cor 12:1), spiritual sacrifices we offer to God (1 Pet 2:5b; cf., Rom 12:1-2; Eph 5:1-2; Phil 4:18; Heb 13:15-16), a mature believer who helps others (Gal 6:1), and is contrasted with immature carnal Christians (1 Cor 3:1-3). Concerning a definition of the word spiritual, there is no single verse in the Bible that defines it. Perhaps the closest verse on this subject is found in 1 Corinthians 2, where Paul wrote, “The unbeliever does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him. And he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The one who is spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is understood by no one” (1 Cor 2:14-15 NET). However, in this passage, what we have is more of a description than a definition. Paul explains that unbelievers do not welcome what the Spirit offers and regard it as foolishness because they do not have the Spirit within them and are operating on negative volition. Being devoid of the Holy Spirit, it is impossible for unbelievers to discern the things that derive from the Spirit of God. In contrast, “one who is spiritual discerns all things” (1 Cor 2:15a). That is, Christians have a capacity to discern and welcome things that unbelievers cannot understand or welcome. Paul, in describing spiritual persons, contrasts them with immature Christians who are described as carnal and operating by their sinful natures (1 Cor 3:1-3). Because of this contrast by Paul between spiritual and carnal Christians, some Bible teachers regard spirituality as a state of maturity that is obtained over time. Charles Ryrie states at least three things make a person spiritual: regeneration, the work of God the Holy Spirit, and the passage of time.[1] If Ryrie is correct, spirituality would be a synonym for a mature Christian who knows God’s Word, is regularly yielded to God the Holy Spirit, and has advanced to a place of maturity by means of walking with the Lord over years of time. Ryrie takes this view, saying, “Spiritually is a mature and maturing relation to the Holy Spirit.”[2] He further states: "A new Christian cannot be called spiritual simply because he has not had sufficient time to grow and develop in Christian knowledge and experience. A new believer can be Spirit-controlled, but the area of control is subject to expansion in the normal process of Christian growth. A young Christian has not yet been confronted with many areas within the general sphere of Christian conduct, for instance; and while he may be completely willing to let the Spirit control his life and actions, he has not yet gained the experience and maturity that comes from having faced these problems and having made Spirit-controlled decisions about them. When he is first saved he may not even know that there is such a person as a weaker brother, and, although he may not be unwilling to curb his liberty for the sake of that brother, he has not yet faced the doing of it, to say nothing of having guided others into right decisions about such matters. Spirit-control may be total over the new Christian’s life insofar as he has knowledge of that life in his newborn state, but as his knowledge increases and his growth progresses, new vistas of life break upon him which must also be consciously yielded to God’s direction. Time to gain maturity is needed for genuine spirituality."[3] Wendell Johnston agrees, saying: "The fact that Paul used the figure of an infant to describe the Christians at Corinth helps us understand that spirituality is also a process, a matter of growth and development under the influence and control of the Holy Spirit. New believers can make proper decisions and often do because they yield to the Spirit’s control. However, the experiences of new believers, like those of infants, are limited. Time is needed for growth and development to face the challenges of the Christian life. Spirituality is a result of growth. Peter exhorted believers to rid themselves of actions that characterize unbelievers and to grow up in their salvation (1 Pet 2:1-2). In this passage he emphasized the role of the Word of God, which he called “spiritual milk” (1 Pet 2:2). The Scriptures provide the foundation for one’s walk with the Lord."[4] Based on this understanding, immature Christians cannot be called spiritual, as they don’t have enough knowledge of God and life experience as obedient-to-the-Word believers to live as He expects. Certainly, in at least one passage, the word spiritual seems to be used this way, as Paul wrote, ...
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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • The Spiritual Life Lesson 2 - What is Spirituality?

    The Spiritual Life Lesson 2 - What is Spirituality?
    Jul 21 2024

    The Christian’s salvation is seen in three phases. Because we have trusted Christ as our Savior, we have been saved from the penalty of sin (John 5:24; Rom 8:1, 33-34; Eph 2:8-9), are being saved from the power of sin that we might live righteously (Rom 6:11-13; Col 3:5), and will be saved from the presence of sin when we leave this world and enter heaven (Phil 3:20-21; 1 John 3:2, 5). These three aspects of our salvation are also referred to as justification (declared just before God once for all), sanctification (our progressive righteousness over time), and glorification (removal of the sin nature after we leave this world). Our justification and glorification are accomplished by God alone, as He does all the work. But our sanctification requires positive volition on our part, as we must adjust ourselves to God’s directives and provisions and learn to walk by faith. The following lessons will focus on phase two of our salvation, looking mainly at the biblical concept of spirituality and the steps the Christian can take to advance to spiritual maturity.

    After we heard the gospel message that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and raised again on the third day (1 Cor 15:3-4), and we trusted Jesus as our Savior (John 3:16; Acts 4:12; 16:31), we became children of God (John 1:12; Gal 3:26), and were transferred from Satan’s domain of darkness into the kingdom of God’s beloved Son (Col 1:13). Having been born again to new spiritual life (John 3:3; 1 Pet 1:3, 23), and indwelt by God the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 3:16), God now expects us to feed on the nourishment of His Word (1 Pet 2:2), advance to spiritual maturity (Heb 6:1), and manifest a life of righteousness (Rom 6:13; 2 Tim 3:16-17). In His Word, God has given us everything we need to accomplish this mission. The objective for us is to learn Scripture and embark on the journey of faith that glorifies God, edifies others, and brings us to the place of spiritual adulthood.

    Spirituality Defined

    The word “spiritual” derives from the Greek adjective pneumatikos (πνευματικός), which, according to Joseph Thayer, refers to “one who is filled with and governed by the Spirit of God.”[1] Spirituality is very nuanced and, according to Christopher Beetham, denotes “the whole range of activities, attitudes, experiences, etc., that ultimately depend on and derive from the Spirit and that draw their significance from the Spirit.”[2] Such an understanding is contrasted with the worldly system of values and practices that originate with Satan, which are totally at odds with the Word of God and seek to hinder the Christian’s walk with the Lord (1 John 2:15-16).

    The word pneumatikos (πνευματικός) is used by NT writers to refer to divine revelation (Rom 7:14; 1 Cor 2:13-14; Col 1:9), angelic forces (Eph 6:12), blessings from God (Eph 1:3), a mental attitude of joy and worship (Eph 5:18-20; Col 3:16), a mature believer who helps others (Gal 6:1), our future glorified body (1 Cor 15:42-44), the church as a spiritual house (1 Pet 2:4-5), supernatural gifts from the Spirit (Rom 1:11; 1 Cor 12:1), spiritual sacrifices we offer to God (Rom 12:1-2; Eph 5:1-2; Phil 4:18; Heb 13:15-16; 1 Pet 2:5b), and is contrasted with immature carnal Christians (1 Cor 3:1-3).

    Dr. Steven R. Cook

    [1] Joseph Henry Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Being Grimm’s Wilke's Clavis Novi Testamenti (New York: Harper & Brothers., 1889), 523.

    [2] Christopher A. Beetham, ed., “Πνεῦμα,” Concise New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology and Exegesis (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2021), 755.
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • The Spiritual Life Lesson 1 - What is Spirituality?

    The Spiritual Life Lesson 1 - What is Spirituality?
    Jul 14 2024

    Our salvation is seen in three phases. Because we have trusted Christ as our Savior, we have been saved from the penalty of sin (John 5:24; Rom 8:1, 33-34; Eph 2:8-9), are being saved from the power of sin that we might live righteously (Rom 6:11-13; Col 3:5), and will be saved from the presence of sin when we leave this world and enter heaven (Phil 3:20-21; 1 John 3:2, 5). These three aspects of our salvation are also referred to as justification (declared just before God once for all), sanctification (our progressive righteousness over time), and glorification (removal of the sin nature after we leave this world). This section will focus on phase two of our salvation, looking mainly at the biblical concept of spirituality and the steps the Christian can take to advance to spiritual maturity.

    After we heard the gospel message that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and raised again on the third day (1 Cor 15:3-4), and we trusted Jesus as our Savior (John 3:16; Acts 4:12; 16:31), we became children of God (John 1:12; Gal 3:26), and were transferred from Satan’s domain of darkness into the kingdom of Christ (Col 1:13). Having been born again to new spiritual life (John 3:3; 1 Pet 1:3, 23), and indwelt by God the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 3:16), God now expects us to feed on the nourishment of His Word (1 Pet 2:2), advance to spiritual maturity (Heb 6:1), and manifest a life of righteousness (Rom 6:13; 2 Tim 3:16-17). In His Word, God has given us everything we need to accomplish this mission. The objective for us is to learn Scripture and embark on the journey of faith that glorifies God, edifies others, and brings us to the place of spiritual adulthood.

    Spirituality Defined

    The word “spiritual” derives from the Greek adjective pneumatikos (πνευματικός), which, according to Joseph Thayer, refers to “one who is filled with and governed by the Spirit of God.”[1] Spirituality is very nuanced and, according to Christopher Beetham, denotes “the whole range of activities, attitudes, experiences, etc., that ultimately depend on and derive from the Spirit and that draw their significance from the Spirit.”[2] Such an understanding is contrasted with the worldly system of values and practices that originate with Satan, which are totally at odds with the Word of God and seek to hinder the Christian’s walk with the Lord (1 John 2:15-16).

    Dr. Steven R. Cook

    [1] Joseph Henry Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Being Grimm’s Wilke's Clavis Novi Testamenti (New York: Harper & Brothers., 1889), 523.

    [2] Christopher A. Beetham, ed., “Πνεῦμα,” Concise New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology and Exegesis (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2021), 755.
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    1 hr and 6 mins