JOHN 4:1–26
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth”
(John 4:24).
The spirituality or the Christian religion must never be confused with spiritualism. Spiritualism is a system of religious beliefs centered on communication with the dead. Such beliefs reach back into antiquity, but can also be found today in another form called the New Age Movement. In America, New Age spiritualism alludes to the expectation that a new “spiritual” age is dawning in which humans will realize a higher, more evolved existence. This movement gained popularity in the 80’s and has been gaining momentum ever since.
Through the New Age Movement, people are looking for something beyond the physical realm. They rightly long for something more than the empty, scientific fare offered by the Enlightenment. They have already rejected Christianity, now the only place they can turn is to ancient paganism with a few modern additions such as the search for extraterrestrials. Through this kind of spiritualism, they hope to find meaning and fulfillment.
Thinking Christianity has nothing to offer the inner man, an increasing portion of our society has turned to New Age practices to realize a better life. Blessedness, however, does not come through ancient spiritualism but only through communion with the Living God, who is spirit.
When Jesus made His claim to divinity, He was, in essence, claiming to be pure spirit. It is in light of this divine attribute that many groups throughout Christian history have concluded that Christ was never really human. But Jesus, while fully human, was fully God. The Word of God declares that He is a substantial being all His own and distinct from creation. Touching His deity, He is immaterial, invisible, and without composition. He does not belong to matter and cannot be discerned by the bodily senses. He can only be apprehended by the mind, and we can only commune with Him in spirit. As His image-bearers, we are not at rest unless we are communing with Him.
Those who seek false spirituality through spiritualism will never find peace and fulfillment. That can only be found in Christ, our Savior and our God, whom we worship in spirit and in truth.
CORAM DEO
Nehemiah 12–13
Acts 4:23–37
WEEKEND
Esther 1–6
Acts 5
This evening take inventory of the time you spent on physical needs (eating, exercise, preening, etc.) compared to spiritual needs (emotional, intellectual, religious, etc.). If you spent little time on spiritual concerns, make some changes, i.e. cut down on television watching and read Scripture instead.
For further study: Acts 17:16–34 • 2 Cor. 3:7–18 • Heb. 11:24–28
WEEKEND