A Successful Spiritual Life
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesThe Prophet Jeremiah made the following statement over 2,600 years ago in Jeremiah 10:23: “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” He realized that man, depending on his own wisdom, cannot adequately nor properly direct his spiritual life.
If Jeremiah’s fellow Jews had been obedient to God’s commands and directions concerning their spiritual life, they would not have found themselves facing the terrible prospect of Babylonian captivity (Deuteronomy 28:15-68; cf. Jeremiah 52:27-30; Lamentations 1:5).
It is just as true today as it was in Jeremiah’s day that sin causes spiritual and moral decay. We see Christians being enticed by sin’s captivating influence (Romans 6:20-23) resulting in their disobedience to God’s Will (Matthew 7:21). In order to avoid sin, we must be willing to ask for spiritual wisdom and guidance from the only source of spiritual wisdom – God and His Word! (James 1:5; Proverbs 2:1-9). We must allow God to provide us spiritual and moral direction if we are to lead a successful spiritual life (1 Chronicles 28:9; Proverbs 3:6). Let us briefly look at some prerequisite qualities we must have in order to experience a successful spiritual life:
1) Grin – We must be willing to have a sense of humor and learn to laugh at ourselves – in essence – we must be happy! We can only achieve full happiness by doing the Father’s Will (Job 8:20-22; Psalm 126:1-3; Romans 5:1-21; Romans 8:31-39; 2 Corinthians 7:4; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Philippians 4:4; James 1:22-25).
2) Grit – We must possess obstinate courage and brave perseverance to complete the good works that God has prepared for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). This includes a determination to see things through to completion (1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 2 Timothy 4:5-8; Ephesians 6:18-20).
3) Gumption – We must demonstrate courage, initiative, enterprise and boldness as we defend the Gospel of Christ against all enemies (Acts 4:13-20; Acts 5:24-29; Ephesians 6:18-20; Philippians 1:15-21).
4) Goals – As Christians, we must always be found striving to attain those spiritual goals that God has assigned to us (Matthew 6:20,33; Matthew 28:19-20; Philippians 3:12-14; Colossians 3:1-17; 2 Timothy 4:7-8).
5) God – Christians are instructed to regard, reverence and respect God as the Creator and ruler of the universe. We are to regard Him as eternal, infinite, all powerful and all knowing (2 Kings 18:7,37; 2 Kings 19:14-15; Proverbs 3:6; Isaiah 36; Isaiah 37:15-16; 2 Chronicles 32). We are to recognize God’s cardinal attributes: (1) perfect justice (Deuteronomy 32:4); (2) boundless power (Psalm 62:11); (3) infinite wisdom (Proverbs 2:6-7); (4) matchless love (1 John 4:8).
Conclusion
If we will strive to incorporate each of the above qualities into our Christian character and living, our spiritual lives will become more fruitful, productive, joyous and successful in God’s kingdom (Joshua 1:1-9; John 15:1-11; John 16:24; 1 John 1:1-4).