A CHRISTIAN IS A CHRISTIAN because he is rightly related to
Christ; but “he that is spiritual” is spiritual because he is rightly related
to the Spirit, in addition to his relation to Christ in salvation. It therefor
follows that any attempt to discover the fact and condition of true
spirituality must be based upon a clear understanding of the Bible revelation
concerning the Spirit in His possible relationships to men. It seems to be the
latest device of Satan to create confusion concerning the work of the Spirit,
and this confusion appears to among the most pious and earnest believers. The
quality of the believer’s life is a tremendous issue before God, and Satan’s
power is naturally directed against the purpose of God. Satan’s ends could be
gained in no positive error, and thus hinders the right understanding of the
divinely provided source of blessing. This general confusion on the Bible
teachings regarding the Spirit is reflected in our hymnology. Bible expositors
are united in deploring the fact that so many hymns on the Spirit are unscriptural. This confusion is also reflected today in the unbalanced and
unbiblical theories which are held by some sects. L. S. Chafer, He That is Spiritual
Each of us are “rightly
related” to Christ because of our saving faith. It’s nothing we have done
to accomplish this (Eph. 2:8-9) other than to confess that we are sinners
standing before a Holy God. Jesus accomplished all that we could ever do in
this department; however being rightly related to the Spirit of God is another
thing. So what is the difference? Let me give you a real world example…
When each of us accepts the forgiveness of Christ
substitutionary death on the cross, we become rightly related to God. We become
adopted into the family of God. But children are not always obedient to the
parental authority. Children wander and some never return. Some may even lead a
life of “doing what they want.” In
fact, many commentators state many times the conversion was never real; which I
tend to agree with as well in many cases. You see each of us stray from time to
time; and that’s where we only are “rightly related” to Christ (through our
salvation), but yet not “rightly related” to the Spirit of God, but a child of
God always returns. As Chafer mentioned above when he stated, “It seems to be the latest device of Satan to
create confusion concerning the work of the Spirit, and this confusion appears
to among the most pious and earnest believers.” It is Satan’s intention to “hinder the right understanding of the
divinely provided source of blessing.”
You see many Christians have good will toward God, but yet
have such a shallow understanding of God and His nature. This is many times
spiritual laziness or an inability to find help in areas where help is needed.
As a result, poor theology comes forward and is accepted as a norm within daily
life. This is where Chafer talks about the concern of Bible expositors concern,
for poor writings of hymns and their inability to convey truths from the Word
of God, rather than poor theology.
Our solution to this issue is simple. Read and study our
Bible. Just because we are rightly related to Christ in salvation; has no bearing
on whether or not our faith is growing and real. This is where the Spirit of
God comes into the picture. The Spirit of God is waiting for all children of
God though; to teach and train them for His work!
“But when He, the
Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not
speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will
disclose to you what is to come.”
John 16:13
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