"Do Grapes Have Hernias?
I've never seen a grape or a grapefuit with a hernia or a halo. They don't grunt, nor do they glow or glisten - they just grow. I think that's what it means to be a spiritual person. Not spending all our time grunting for growth, but like fruit, growing quite naturally.
Some of the funniest things I've ever seen are segments of the church trying to be spiritual. I'm sure you've seen them. They usually are seriously sincere people with a great love for Jesus, but feel obligated to communicate some special aura of 'spirituality or godliness'. It can be seen in the glazed look in their eyes or the God-like tone to their voice, or maybe the head cocked just enough to keep the halo on.
The characteristics of spiritual [people] have been thumped from the pulpit for years. They include things like prayer, time in the Word, fellowship with the saints, denial of self, a giving heart, and serving the saints. Those are all fine, yet a serious study of the scripture reveals that, somehow, true spirituality just happens. John 15 says its like fruit on a vine. Jesus said, 'If you abide in me...' - a constant abiding in Him that not only produces fruit and life, but makes it impossible for those fleshly, contrived works of the flesh to survive and live. We get to relieve ourselves of the task of trying to appear something we're not.
We're learning something about true sanctification, which is nothing more than God making you truly you. Oh yes, there is an obvious need for you to be changed - lets call it transformation, or plain old salvation. That's what II Corinthians 5:17 says. It's you, but a new you.
I'm so glad that the Lord has made all of us distinct and special... each one of us with individuality and a special uniqueness as a [person] of God's purpose. I'm not saying there won't be work involved on your part. 'Work out your own salvation...', Phil 2:12. In fact, you'll need to want to open up to His purpose and power to change you. If it's all your work and not a partnership of effort between you and your Lord, you'll have nothing more than a man-made, contrived spiritual life that smacks of piety and pride. It's taken me a long time, but I'm learning to grow more and grunt less.
Desiring to grow,
Pastor Ron Mehl