Explanation of Bible Verses

What is the Spirit of adoption?

Answer: Romans 8:15 says, “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’(KJV).

This verse contrasts two spirits: an impersonal “spirit of bondage” or “spirit of slavery” and the Holy Spirit, called “the Spirit of adoption.” The Spirit makes us God’s children.

A spirit of slavery is manifested in legalistic religion. Many cults and even some Christian denominations put such emphasis on rule-keeping that they instill fear and a sense of dread in their members. God is presented as a taskmaster who is never quite satisfied with anything we do. The bar is always set a bit too high, so people find religious activities to keep themselves busy in the hope that God will accept them for their effort.

What is the inner man?

The “inner man” is another way of describing the spiritual aspect of a person. The “outer man,” by contrast, would be the visible, external aspect of a person. Human beings were created by God with a spirit, soul, and body (Genesis 1:27; 1 Thessalonians 5:23).

It has been said that we are not bodies with souls; we are souls that have bodies. The body—the “outer man”—is our physical housing through which we experience the world. Our bodies function primarily through the five senses and by meeting innate needs that drive us to eat, drink, and sleep. Our bodies are not evil but are gifts from God. He desires that we surrender those bodies as living sacrifices to Him (Romans 12:1–2). Our bodies become temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19–20; 3:16).

Our souls are the personality centers of our beings from which our mind, will, and emotions operate. With our souls we choose to either to listen and obey to the dictates of our flesh or to the desires of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16–17; Romans 8:9; Mark 14:38).

The soul is the courtroom where life decisions are made. It is the seat of the self-life and the fountain from which character traits such as self-confidence, self-pity, self-seeking, and self-affirmation originate.

Our spirit is that, where the Spirit of God communes with us. Jesus said, “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). It is within our spirits that we are born again (John 3:3–6).

Our spirit is the parts of us most like God, with an innate knowledge of right and wrong (Romans 2:14–15). First Corinthians 2:11 says, “For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.”

Romans 12:1–2 implores us not to be conformed to this world’s way of thinking; rather, our inner being must be transformed by the “renewing of our minds.” This mind-renewal comes about as we allow the Holy Spirit free rein within our “inner being.”

Romans 8:13–14 says, “For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”

What is the human spirit?

Answer:  The human spirit is the incorporeal part of man. The Bible says that the human spirit is the very breath of Almighty God and was breathed into man at the beginning of God’s creation: “Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7).

It is the human spirit that gives us a consciousness of self and other remarkable, though limited, “God-like” qualities. The human spirit includes our intellect, emotions, fears, passions, and creativity. It is this spirit that provides us the unique ability to comprehend and understand (Job 32:8, 18).

The words spirit and breath are translations of the Hebrew word neshamah and the Greek word pneuma. The words mean “strong wind, blast, or inspiration.”

 Neshamah is the source of life that vitalizes humanity (Job 33:4). It is the intangible, unseen human spirit that governs man’s mental and emotional existence. The apostle Paul said, “Who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him?” (1 Corinthians 2:11).

Upon death the “spirit returns back to God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7; see also Job 34:14-15; Psalm 104:29-30).

Every human being has a spirit, and it is distinct from the “spirit,” or life, of animals. God made man differently from the animals in that He created us “in His image” (Genesis 1:26-27). Therefore, man is able to think, feel, love, design, create, and enjoy music, humor, and art. And it is because of the human spirit that we have a “free will” that no other creature on earth has.

The human spirit was damaged in the fall. When Adam sinned, his ability to fellowship with God was broken; he did not die physically that day, but he died spiritually. Ever since, the human spirit has borne the effects of the fall. Before salvation, a person is characterized as spiritually “dead” (Ephesians 2:1-5; Colossians 2:13). A relationship with Christ revitalizes our spirits and renews us day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16).

Interestingly, just as the human spirit was divinely breathed into the first man, so the Holy Spirit was breathed into the first disciples in John 20:22: “And with that [Jesus] breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’” (Acts 2:38).

Adam was made alive by the breath of God, and we, as “new creations” in Christ, are made spiritually alive by the “Breath of God,” the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:17; John 3:3; Romans 6:4).

Upon our acceptance of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit of God joins with our own spirit in ways we cannot comprehend. The apostle John said, “This is how we know that we live in Him and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit” (1 John 4:13).

When we allow the Spirit of God to lead our lives, the “Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children” (Romans 8:16).

As children of God, we are no longer led by our own spirit but by God’s Spirit, who leads us to eternal life. (Thy will be done).

 "What can we learn from the life of Paul? Who was Paul?"

Answer:  There is much we can learn from the life of the apostle Paul. Far from ordinary, Paul was given the opportunity to do extraordinary things for the kingdom of God. The story of Paul is a story of redemption in Jesus Christ and a testimony that no one is beyond the saving grace of the Lord. However, to gain the full measure of the man, we must examine his dark side and what he symbolized before becoming “the Apostle of Grace.”

Paul’s early life was marked by religious zeal, brutal violence, and the relentless persecution of the early church. Fortunately, the later years of Paul’s life show a marked difference as he lived his life for Christ and for the advancement of His kingdom.

Paul was actually born as Saul. He was born in Tarsus in Cilicia around AD 1–5 in a province in the southeastern corner of modern-day Tersous, Turkey. He was of Benjamite lineage and Hebrew ancestry (Philippians 3:5–6). His parents were Pharisees—fervent Jewish nationalists who adhered strictly to the Law of Moses—who sought to protect their children from “contamination” from the Gentiles. Anything Greek would have been despised in Saul’s household, yet he could speak Greek and passable Latin. His household would have spoken Aramaic, a derivative of Hebrew, which was the official language of Judea. Saul’s family were Roman citizens but viewed Jerusalem as a truly sacred and holy city (Acts 22:22-29).

At age thirteen Saul was sent to Palestine to learn from a rabbi named Gamaliel, under whom Saul mastered Jewish history, the Psalms, and the works of the prophets. His education would continue for five or six years as Saul learned such things as dissecting Scripture (Acts 22:3).

 It was during this time that he developed a question-and-answer style of teaching known in ancient times as “diatribe.” This method of articulation helped rabbis debate the finer points of Jewish law to either defend or prosecute those who broke the law. Saul went on to become a lawyer, and all signs pointed to his becoming a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish Supreme Court of 71 men who ruled over Jewish life and religion. Saul was zealous for his faith, and this faith did not allow for compromise. It is this zeal that led Saul down the path of religious extremism.

 In Acts 5:27–42, Peter delivered his defense of the gospel and of Jesus in front of the Sanhedrin, which Saul would have heard. Gamaliel was also present and delivered a message to calm the council and prevent them from stoning Peter. Saul might also have been present at the trial of Stephen. He was present for his stoning and death; he held the garments of those who did the stoning (Acts 7:58). After Stephen's death, "a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem" (Acts 8:1). Saul became determined to eradicate Christians, ruthless in his pursuit as he believed he was acting in the name of God. Arguably, there is no one more frightening or more vicious than a religious terrorist, especially when he believes he is doing the will of the Lord by killing innocent people. This is exactly what Saul of Tarsus was: a religious terrorist. Acts 8:3 states, “He began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.”

 The pivotal passage in Paul’s story is Acts 9:1–22, which recounts Paul’s meeting with Jesus Christ on the road from Jerusalem to Damascus, a journey of about 150 miles. Saul was angered by what he had seen and filled with murderous rage against the Christians. Before departing on his journey, he had asked the high priest for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for permission to bring any Christians (followers of “the Way,” as they were known) back to Jerusalem to imprison them.

On the road Saul was caught in a bright light from heaven that caused him to fall face down on the ground. He heard the words, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” He replied, “Who are you Lord?” Jesus answered directly and clearly, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (verses 4–5). As an aside, this might not have been Saul’s first encounter with Jesus, as some scholars suggest that young Saul might have known of Jesus and that he might have actually witnessed His death.

 From that moment on, Saul’s life was turned upside down. The light of the Lord blinded him, and as he traveled on he had to rely on his companions. As instructed by Jesus, Saul continued to Damascus to make contact with a man named Ananias, who was hesitant at first to meet Saul because he knew Saul’s reputation as an evil man. But the Lord told Ananias that Saul was a “chosen instrument” to carry His name before the Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel (Acts 9:15) and would suffer for doing so (Acts 9:16). Ananias followed the Lord’s instructions and found Saul, on whom he laid hands, and told him of his vision of Jesus Christ. Through prayer, Saul received the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17), regained his sight, and was baptized (Acts 9:18). Saul immediately went into the synagogues and proclaimed Jesus as the Son of God (Acts 9:20). The people were amazed and skeptical, as Saul’s reputation was well known. The Jews thought he had come to take away the Christians (Acts 9:21), but he had in fact joined them. Saul’s boldness increased as the Jews living in Damascus were confounded by Saul’s arguments proving that Jesus was the Christ (Acts 9:22).

Saul spent time in Arabia, Damascus, Jerusalem, Syria, and his native Cilicia, and Barnabas enlisted his help to teach those in the church in Antioch (Acts 11:25). Interestingly, the Christians driven out of Judea by the persecution that arose after Stephen's death founded this multiracial church (Acts 11:19–21).

 Saul took his first of three missionary journeys in the late AD 40s. As he spent more time in Gentile areas, Saul began to go by his Roman name Paul (Acts 13:9). Paul wrote many of the New Testament books. Most theologians are in agreement that he wrote Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Philemon, Ephesians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Timothy, and Titus. These thirteen “letters” (epistles) make up the “Pauline Authorship” and are the primary source of his theology. As previously noted, the book of Acts gives us a historical look at Paul’s life and times. The apostle Paul spent his life proclaiming the risen Christ Jesus throughout the Roman world, often at great personal peril (2 Corinthians 11:24–27). It is assumed that Paul died a martyr’s death in the mid-to-late AD 60s in Rome.

 So, what can we learn from the life of the apostle Paul? First, we learn that God can save anyone. The remarkable story of Paul repeats itself every day as sinful, broken people all over the world are transformed by God’s saving grace in Jesus Christ. Some of these people have done despicable things to other human beings, while some just try to live a moral life thinking that God will smile upon them on the Day of Judgment.

When we read the story of Paul, we are amazed that God would allow into heaven a religious extremist who murdered innocent women and children. Today, we might see terrorists or other criminals as unworthy of redemption because their crimes against humanity are just too great.

The story of Paul is a story that can be told today—he isn’t worthy in our eyes of a second chance, yet God granted him mercy. The truth is that every person matters to God, from the “good, decent,” average person to the “wicked, evil,” degenerate one. Only God can save a soul from hell.

Second, we learn from the life of Paul that anyone can be a humble, powerful witness for Jesus Christ. Arguably, no other human figure in the Bible demonstrated more humility while sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ as Paul. Acts 20:19 tells us that he “served the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to [him] through the plots of the Jews.” In Acts 28:31, Paul shares the good news of Jesus Christ: “Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul was not afraid to tell others what the Lord had done for him. Paul spent all his days, from conversion to martyrdom, working tirelessly for the kingdom of God.

Finally, we learn that anyone can surrender completely to God. Paul was fully committed to God. In Philippians 1:12–14, Paul wrote from prison, “I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much bolder to speak the word without fear.” Despite his circumstances, Paul praised God and continually shared the good news (see also Acts 16:22–25 and Philippians 4:11–13). Through his hardships and suffering, Paul knew the outcome of a life well lived for Christ. He had surrendered his life fully, trusting God for everything. He wrote, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). Can we make the same claim?

What is the difference between religion and spirituality? From a Christian perspective.

Answer:  Before we explore the difference between religion and spirituality, we must first define the two terms.

Religion can be defined as “belief in God or gods to be worshipped, usually expressed in conduct and ritual” or “any specific system of belief, worship, etc., often involving a code of ethics.”

Spirituality can be defined as “the quality or fact of being spiritual, non-physical” or “predominantly spiritual character as shown in thought, life, etc.; spiritual tendency or tone.”

To put it briefly, religion is a set of beliefs and rituals that claim to get a person in a right relationship with God, and spirituality is a focus on spiritual things and the spiritual world instead of physical/earthly things.

The most common misconception about religion is that Christianity is just another religion like Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, etc. Sadly, many who claim to be adherents of Christianity do practice Christianity as if it were a religion. To many, Christianity is nothing more than a set of rules and rituals that a person has to observe in order to go to heaven after death.

That is not true Christianity. True Christianity is not a religion; rather, it is having a right relationship with God by receiving Jesus Christ as the Savior-Messiah, by grace through faith. Yes, Christianity does have “rituals” to observe (e.g., baptism and communion). Yes, Christianity does have “rules” to follow (e.g., do not murder, love one another, etc.). However, these rituals and rules are not the essence of Christianity. The rituals and rules of Christianity are the result of salvation. When we receive salvation through Jesus Christ, we are baptized as a proclamation of that faith. We observe communion in remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice. We follow a list of do’s and don’ts out of love for God and gratitude for what He has done.

The most common misconception about spirituality is that there are many forms of spirituality, and all are equally valid. True spirituality is possessing the Holy Spirit of God as a result of receiving salvation through Jesus Christ. True spirituality is the fruit that the Holy Spirit produces in a person’s life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Spirituality is all about becoming more like God, who is spirit (John 4:24) and having our character conformed to His image (Romans 12:1-2).

What religion and spirituality have in common is that they both can be false methods of having a relationship with God. Religion tends to substitute the heartless observance of rituals for a genuine relationship with God.

Religion can be valuable in the sense that it points to the fact that there is a God and that we are somehow accountable to Him.

Spirituality can be valuable in that it points out that the physical world is not all there is. Human beings are not only material, but also possess a soul-spirit. There is a spiritual world around us of which we should be aware. The true value of spirituality is that it points to the fact that there is something and someone beyond this physical world to which we need to connect. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of both religion and spirituality. Jesus is the One to whom Christians are accountable.

Question: "Why should I believe in organized religion?"

 Answer:  A dictionary definition of “religion” would be something similar to “belief in God or gods to be worshipped, usually expressed in conduct and ritual; any specific system of belief, worship, etc., often involving a code of ethics.” In light of this definition, the Bible does speak of organized religion, but in many cases the purpose and impact of “organized religion” are not something that God is pleased with.

In Genesis chapter 11, perhaps the first instance of organized religion, the descendants of Noah organized themselves to build the tower of Babel instead of obeying God’s command to fill the entire earth. They believed that their unity was more important than their relationship with God. God stepped in and confused their languages, thus breaking up this organized religion.

 In Exodus chapter 6 and following, God “organized” a religion for the nation of Israel. The Ten Commandments, the laws regarding the tabernacle, and the sacrificial system were all instituted by God and were to be followed by the Israelites. Further study of the New Testament clarifies that the intent of this religion was to point to the need for a Savior-Messiah (Galatians 3; Romans 7). However, many have misunderstood this and have worshipped the rules and rituals rather than God.

Throughout Israel’s history, many of the conflicts experienced by the Israelites involved conflict with organized religions. Examples include the worship of Baal (Judges 6; 1 Kings 18), Dagon (1 Samuel 5), and Moloch (2 Kings 23:10). God defeated the followers of these religions, displaying His sovereignty and omnipotence.

In the Gospels, the Pharisees and Sadducees are depicted as the representatives of organized religion at the time of Christ. Jesus constantly confronted them about their false teachings and hypocritical lifestyles. In the Epistles, there were organized groups that mixed the gospel with certain lists of required works and rituals. They also sought to put pressure on believers to change and accept these “Christianity plus” religions. Galatians and Colossians give warnings about such religions. In the book of Revelation, organized religion will have an impact on the world as the Antichrist sets up a one-world religion.

 In many cases, the end result of organized religion is a distraction from the intent of God. However, the Bible does speak of organized believers who are part of His plan. God calls these groups of organized believers “churches.” The descriptions from the book of Acts and the Epistles indicate that the church is to be organized and interdependent. The organization leads to protection, productivity, and outreach (Acts 2:41-47). In the case of the church, it could better be called an “organized relationship.”

Religion is man’s attempt to have communion with God. The Christian faith is a relationship with God because of what He has done for us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. There is no plan to reach God (He has reached out to us—Romans 5:8). There is no pride (all is received by grace—Ephesians 2:8-9). There should be no conflict over leadership (Christ is the head—Colossians 1:18). There should be no prejudice (we are all one in Christ—Galatians 3:28). Being organized is not the problem. Focusing on the rules and rituals of a religion is the problem.

What is religiosity?

Answer:  Religiosity can mean “piety” or “the state of being religious”; however, for the purpose of this article, we will consider the secondary definition of "the exaggerated embodiment of certain aspects of religious activity." To be religious is to be “excessively or sentimentally religious” or to practice one’s religion in a meddlesome way. Thus, religiosity is characterized by excessive involvement in religious activities. Religiosity usually entails extreme zeal outside of and beyond the norms of one’s faith. It is more than affection for religion; it is affectation in religion. Religiosity usually reflects one’s individual beliefs more than those of the religious organization itself. Another term for religiosity, though less common, is religiousness, “the state of being superficially religious.”

To summarize, religiosity is a term used by Christians and non-Christians alike to refer to religious activity in the extreme. Religiosity is an inappropriate devotion to the rituals and traditions of a religion. Religiosity is something that should never be a characteristic of a follower of Jesus Christ, but, sadly, it sometimes is. Whenever a Christian takes his/her eyes off of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, religiosity/religiousness can be the result. It is often easier to observe the rules, rituals, and traditions of a religion than it is to maintain a passionate relationship with the Lord.

 How can religiosity be avoided? It is a matter of perspective and priority. What is the priority? Is it worshipping and following the Lord Jesus Christ, or is it fulfilling the rituals of a religious organization? What is the perspective? Do we serve God in order to “earn” His love or to be seen and admired by other people, or do we serve God because we love Him and are grateful for the wonderful salvation He has provided?

Religion, ritual, and tradition are not the problem. The attitude behind the religious practice is the problem.

Question: "What is true religion?"

Answer:  Religion can be defined as “belief in God or gods to be worshipped, usually expressed in conduct and ritual” or “any specific system of belief, worship, etc., often involving a code of ethics.” Well over 90% of the world’s population adheres to some form of religion. The problem is that there are so many different religions. What is the right religion? What is true religion?

The two most common ingredients in religions are rules and rituals. Some religions are essentially nothing more than a list of rules, do’s and don’ts that a person must observe in order to be considered a faithful adherent of that religion, and thereby, right with the God of that religion.

Two examples of rules-based religions are Islam and Judaism. Islam has its five pillars that must be observed. Judaism has hundreds of commands and traditions that are to be observed. Both religions, to a certain degree, claim that by obeying the rules of the religion, a person will be considered right with God.

 Other religions focus more on observing rituals instead of obeying a list of rules. By offering this sacrifice, performing this task, participating in this service, consuming this meal, etc., a person is made right with God.

The most prominent example of a ritual-based religion is Roman Catholicism. Roman Catholicism holds that by being water baptized as an infant, by partaking in the Mass, by confessing sin to a priest, by offering prayers to saints in Heaven, by being anointed by a priest before death, etc., God will accept such a person into Heaven after death.

Buddhism and Hinduism are also primarily ritual-based religions, but can also to a lesser degree be considered rules-based.

True religion is neither rules-based nor ritual-based. True religion is a relationship with God. Two things that all religions hold are that humanity is somehow separated from God and needs to be reconciled to Him.

False religion seeks to solve this problem by observing rules and rituals. True religion solves the problem by recognizing that only God could rectify the separation, and that He has done so.

True religion recognizes the following:

1. We have all sinned and are therefore separated from God (Romans 3:23).

2. If not rectified, the just penalty for sin is death and eternal separation from God after death (Romans 6:23).

3. God came to us in the Person of Jesus Christ and died in our place, taking the punishment that we deserve, and rose from the dead to demonstrate that His death was a sufficient sacrifice (Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21).

4. If we receive Jesus as the Savior, trusting His death as the full payment for our sins, we are forgiven, saved, redeemed, reconciled, and justified with God (John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 2:8-9).

True religion does have rules and rituals, but there is a crucial difference. In true religion, the rules and rituals are observed out of gratitude for the salvation God has provided – NOT in an effort to obtain that salvation. True religion, which is Biblical Christianity, has rules to obey (do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not lie, etc.) and rituals to observe (water baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper / Communion). Observance of these rules and rituals is not what makes a person right with God. Rather, these rules and rituals are the RESULT of the relationship with God, by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone as the Savior.

False religion is doing things (rules and rituals) in order to try to earn God’s favor. True religion is receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and thereby having a right relationship with God – and then doing things (rules and rituals) out of love for God and desire to grow closer to Him.

May God’s grace be with us

Note:

Teaching about the soul and the spirit has caused much confusion in the Christian world. Some say that the soul and the spirit are the same thing; others say they are different. The Apostle Paul makes a clear distinction between the two. Paul teaches that our spirit resides in the spiritual realm; it is the inner part of us. Our soul, by contrast lives in the mortal or physical body. Our spirit is the real us, the essence of who we are. Our body is the physical expression and our soul is the non physical one. Our soul and body are one and both are distinct from spirit.

Understanding the distinction between soul and spirit affords us a better understanding of some critical truth.

We are secure, because the Holy Spirit lives in us.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (NKJV)

16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone [a]defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

1 John 3:9 (NKJV)

9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.

Living a righteous life pleasing to God cannot come from mortal flesh

The spirit is the element in humanity that gives us the ability to have an intimate relationship with God. Whenever the word spirit is used, it refers to the immaterial part of humanity that “connects” with God, who Himself is spirit (John 4:24).

The word soul can refer to both the immaterial and material aspects of humanity. Unlike human beings having a spirit, human beings are souls. In its most basic sense, the word soul means “life”. The soul and the spirit are connected, but separable (Hebrews 4:12). The soul is the essence of humanity’s being; it is who we are. The spirit is the immaterial part of humanity that connects with God.

The soul and the spirit are connected, but separable (Hebrews 4:12). The soul is the essence of humanity’s being; it is who we are. The spirit is the immaterial part of humanity that connects with God.

The soul can refer to the whole person, whether alive on earth or in the afterlife.

the human soul is the part of a person that is not physical. It is the part of every human being that lasts eternally after the body experiences death.

The human soul is central to the personhood of a human being. We don’t have a soul, we are a Soul. We have a body.” In other words, personhood is not based on having a body. A soul is what is required. Repeatedly in the Bible, people are referred to as “souls” (Exodus 31:14; Proverbs 11:30), especially in contexts that focus on the value of human life and personhood or on the concept of a “whole being” (Psalm 16:9-10; Ezekiel 18:4; Acts 2:41; Revelation 18:13).

Where do we go when we die? It is up to us. God offers us the choice. God invites us to come to Him. It is our call.

If you feel God drawing you to faith in Christ (John 6:44), come to the Savior. If God is lifting the veil and removing your spiritual blindness (2 Corinthians 4:4), look to the Savior. If you are experiencing a spark of life in what has always been dead (Ephesians 2:1), come to life through the Savior.

Spiritualizing Human Relationships II

Seeing Through the Spiritual Eye

Spiritualizing our contacts with others means feeling our basic original spiritual connection with one another; that is, that we all are part of that divine being, one without a second, ever pure, ever free and ever blessed and relating to others on that plane. This should be spontaneous and easy, but yet in practical life it appears to be an uphill task, it becomes just a mental process. We are not creating a real spiritual relationship, but rather effecting a change of attitude.

Directly or indirectly, we have to try to assert our essential relationship with the Divine within. We are all tiny waves and bubbles in that vast ocean of consciousness called Reality or God. Any bubble to bubble, or wave to wave relationship comes and goes, bringing both happiness and misery in its wake but our central relationship is to God.

Our identity is centered in our mind, predominantly in ego consciousness. Our relationships with others are normally in and through the ego, which is characterized by the attitude of “I” and “mine. To spiritualize the ego, we are asked to expand ourselves by including others. Jesus said that we should love God with all our heart, mind and strength and love our brothers as ourselves. Objectively, we make the whole world our own. Subjectively, we are instructed to connect ourselves with the Infinite or God. We need to connect our ego and the egos of others with the infinite consciousness or God. When I belong to God, all others also belong to God. If I’m a part of God, all others are a part of God. If I’m a child of God, all others are children of God. If I’m one with God, everyone is one with God.

This is how the ego gradually becomes mature so that any relationship with the spiritualized “I” and “mine” naturally becomes spiritual. Any true relationship is through spiritual consciousness. In theistic language we relate to everyone in and through God only. Cover everything with God.

When we do this, our ordinary relationships gradually become more refined. How do we do this? To start, we do this through using our creative imagination; we imagine that we are all always spiritual, always divine. Because we are imagining a fact, in course of time that imagination becomes a reality. This is an excellent spiritual exercise that should be extended to every area of life. If we practice like this, gradually we will be able to relate to others with love and wisdom.

Another important method is to raise oneself to a spiritual level and then communicate with others by letting God’s Spirit, rather than the ego speak through us.

That is how spiritual minded people need to handle all issues regarding relationships. Mere heart-to-heart talks or counseling will have only a temporary effect. Sometimes when two people are confused and relationships become sour, heart-to-heart talks may exacerbate the situation.

The central point is: we have to rise to a higher level of consciousness; thereby our interactions with people become spiritual.

For many, this approach is new and foreign. Just try it and see how it will change your life.

For Christians, take the life of Jesus as an example. In Jesus words, “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

                                           Matthew 12:50 (ESTV)

Spiritualizing Human Relationships Part I

The Importance of Nurturing Human Relationships

Human relationships are extremely important for the obvious reason that almost every other aspect of life revolves around them. Naturally there will always be variations in these relationships because we are different people with varying temperaments, interests and capacities. Under ordinary times, relating to others occurs in a natural way. But today as a result of technological advances, the speed of life has accelerated so much, that it leaves people with little time or energy to focus on this essential element of interpersonal relationships  in their lives. So it has become imperative to emphasize the need of forming enduring relationships. Simply stated, success or failure in life is greatly influenced by our associations with others.

Our ordinary relationships are usually based more or less on our own self-interest, centering on certain personal needs, desires, and practical social necessities. With this in mind, psychologists and sociologists give us some insightful guidelines that encourage us to engage in more wholesome interactions with others, so that the resulting experience is healthier and increasingly beneficial.

The formation of character is one of the essential ingredients in developing healthy relationships

How Attitudes Play the Central Role

Communication is a subtle and sophisticated art. Often our assumptions regarding others are based on preconceived ideas, including misinterpretation of body language and behaviour. We don’t take the time to listen or analyze what the other person is saying or doing, but jump to conclusions. This mind-set sows the seeds of misunderstanding. That’s why the issue of relating to one another becomes very complicated. The repercussions are considerable. For good relations it is essential to make an earnest attempt to understand the other person’s perspective.

Deepening Life

As our insight in life deepens, we recognize that we are not isolated individuals but are interdependent. Basically we are all related to one another; there is one connecting thread bringing us all together, not only at the physical, social, or psychological levels, but more importantly at the spiritual level. This is the thread. Everything is woven with Ultimate Reality.

Further, our scriptures remind us that we are all one being.  “Love one another as we love ourselves.” We are always connected with everyone and everything spiritually. This relationship is natural and eternal. But somehow because of ignorance, or impurity, we don’t feel it. Instead, we have projected on each other innumerable, artificial or temporary connections, which bring both joy and sorrow.

Spiritual teachers emphasize that human relationships really originate from this basic, inner subtle, spiritual level. The psychological process of any individual is always from deep within, from inside out. In whatever way we conceive of ourselves, in that same way we think of others.

So in discussing the evolution of our relationships, they begin with the individual. To elaborate further: they point out that if we dwell in the physical realm and are body conscious, then we relate to others at the body level. If we are emotional by nature, we relate to others in an emotional way. If we think ourselves as separate individuals, we relate to others as individuals. If we feel we are spiritual, we perceive others as spiritual as well.

The delusory power inherent in creation

The delusory power inherent in the structure of creation, by which the One appears as many, is here referred to as Maya. Maya is the principle of relativity, inversion, contrast, duality, oppositional states; the "Satan" in Hebrew, "the adversary") of the Old Testament prophets; and the "devil" whom Christ described picturesquely as a "murderer" and a "liar," because "there is no truth in him" (John 8:44).

Paramahansa Yogananda wrote: "The Sanskrit word maya means 'the measurer'; it is the magical power in creation by which limitations and divisions are apparently present in the Immeasurable and Inseparable. Maya is Nature herself—the phenomenal worlds, ever in transitional flux as antithesis to Divine Immutability. "In God's plan and play (lila), the sole function of Satan or maya is to attempt to divert man from Spirit to matter, from Reality to unreality.

'The devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil' (I John 3:8). That is, the manifestation of Christ Consciousness, within man's own being, effortlessly destroys the illusions or 'works of the devil." "Maya is the veil of transitoriness in Nature, the ceaseless becoming of creation; the veil that each man must lift in order to see behind it the Creator, the changeless Immutable, and eternal Reality."

 The consciousness of the unenlightened person is blinded by four successive veils of maya, delusion, which prevent him from perceiving Truth or God:

1. Atomic form the world of gross material manifestation wherein the One Substance appears as innumerable objects;

2. Space whereby the idea of division is produced in the Ever-indivisible;

3. Time whereby the mind conceives of change in the Ever-unchangeable;

4. Vibration the universal creative force that obscures our realization of the Ever-uncreated.

Man is so drunk with delusion; it obliterates his true perception so that the darkness of his ignorance cannot apprehend the light of God vibrating everywhere.

Realize that both, cosmic delusion (maya) and individual illusion or ignorance (avidya) work together to obscure and confound the soul's inherent intuitive sense of God's omnipresence.

Maya is the mass hypnosis of God by which He makes every human being belief in the same illusory "reality" of creation as perceived by the senses; avidya gives individuality of form, experience, and expression (it supports the ego or I-consciousness). Swami Shankara: "You never identify your self with the shadow cast by your body, or with its reflection, or with the body you see in a dream or in your imagination. Therefore you should not identify yourself with this living body, either."

Religious or Spiritual

Religious or Spiritual what does it really mean?

A fundamental quest of life is the search after happiness and how to overcome suffering. Not just our life, but anyone’s life. In fact, any living creature searching for satisfaction, happiness, or pleasure, is trying to overcome suffering.

What is the goal of spirituality?

The goal of spirituality is the complete cessation of suffering and the attainment of inner joy. In essence the, goal of spirituality and of our lives are identical. The difference lies in the way they can be attained.

In general, our approach to solving issues of life has two parts, the conventional and the spiritual way.

We hear it often said: “We are spiritual, but not religious”. Let us start with examining conventional religion as an inquiry into happiness.  First we need to ask ourselves, what is the greatest amount of happiness we can imagine for ourselves? To do this we need to establish a norm of measurement. We need to ask, what are the conditions in which we can experience this happiness, joy, bliss, love?

One would assume, that the joy of life is easier expressed when we are young. We have our whole life in front of us; we are optimistic, vigorous, and full of dreams and ideas. However, the latest research on the elderly shows, that this is not necessarily the case.

Common sense suggests that happiness and well being should decline with age. After all, with creaking joints, memory lapses, and the sense of edging ever closer to the end of life, the stereotype is that older people mourn their lost youth and vitality, their active social lives, and the anticipation of a long and happy life. But research shows that this is not so. Older adults report higher levels of positive affect and lower levels of negative emotions than do young adults. Moreover, older adults have a higher feeling of well being than do younger adults. How can this be?

While there is no definitive answer, some of the reasons suggest that older adults do not experience emotions, particularly negative emotions, as intensely as the young. Another explanation is that negative events don't have the same devastating impact that they have on younger people. Older people have learned how to "roll with the punches”.

Now we may ask, is there anything more to life; is there another kind of happiness? The answer is yes, but not necessarily of this world. The belief is, that after death one can go to higher realms, a better environment, where we get a finer form of enjoyment

What are the requirements to obtain happiness in the world?

To attain happiness in the world, we need three things, a body, an object of enjoyment, like music, art, food, vacation etc. – things to do in the world and an environment in which to do them..

We may have all that we need in an earthly body, but none of these experiences are very spiritual, it may just be a fun place to be.

Then there are the ideas people have of the afterlife, where one can go to and be happy. This is what religion tells us. Yet how do we know that such a place even exists? We simply have to believe.

What does Christianity tell us about heaven?

"Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband" (Revelation 21:2).

No tears or pain in eternity

"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away" (Revelation 21:4).

Perfect peace

"The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust [shall be] the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain," says the LORD (Isaiah 65:25).

Houses and vineyards

"They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit" (Isaiah 65:21).

Fruitful gardens

"The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose" (Isaiah 35:1).

Popular myths picture heaven as a fanciful place where spirits sit on clouds playing harps or float around in nebulous space. However, in John 14:2-3 the Bible says that Jesus is building mansions in heaven for those who accept salvation. He is preparing real buildings with real tangible materials for real people who will inhabit them.

Additionally, when Jesus went to heaven he told his disciples: "But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom" (Matthew 26:29). This means that in heaven real vineyards will produce real grapes.

The Bible even refers to heaven as a country (Hebrews 11:16). Before sin came into this world, the world was a physical paradise — a beautiful garden full of fruits, trees, and animals. Similarly, when sin is finally eradicated from this universe, we will get to live life as God originally intended for mankind when He first created the Garden of Eden — not as spirits on clouds, but in a tangible, material Heaven.

The Bible speaks about hosts or inhabitants of both heaven and earth. "Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished" (Genesis 2:1). The Bible mentions that angelic beings  rejoiced at the creation of the earth. "When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy" (Job 38: 7). The biblical prophet Micaiah said: "I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing on His right hand and His left (2 Chronicles 18:18).

Perfect unselfish love governs all relationships in heaven

The Bible says: "He who does not love does not know God, for God is love" (1 John 4:8). Those who love God keep His commandments (John 14:15). The inhabitants of heaven obey God’s commandments of love (Psalm 103:19-21).

We will have physical bodies in heaven

Our bodies will be free from disease, pain and death in heaven (1 Corinthians 15:40-49). We will still have physical bodies. The Bible says: For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body (Philippians 3:20,21). The body of Jesus after His resurrection was physical. Jesus said: "Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have" (Luke 24:39). We will be able to recognize our loved ones. The Bible says: "For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known" (1 Corinthians 13:12).

The New Earth as heaven

Real earth, real houses, gardens, hobbies, loved ones, are all part of the perfect future life in store for those who are faithful to God’s Word. This becomes more believable when we realize that the Bible says that the greater part of the future existence of human beings will take place right here on our planet earth, which will be recreated and restored to its original perfection. This life will be free from sickness, war, crime and anything harmful. The future life will have the best of this life plus additional joys beyond our imagination. (see Revelation 21:1-4; Isaiah 65:17-25; John 14:2-3)

Bible prophecy points to the fact that Jesus will return the second time. He will  come in secret , in the clouds, first at the rapture, and then seven years later, every eye shall see him when He descends to the Mount of Olives (Revelation 1:7) at the literal second coming of Christ to the Earth.. At the rapture, those who have accepted Jesus as their personal Savior will be taken to heaven for a period of seven years, during the tribulation on Earth. . They will live with Christ   in the mansions Jesus is building. After His second coming and the thousand year reign of Christ on Earth, when He has put all His enemies down, then He will bring the New Jerusalem down to earth. God will recreate a new earth and a new Heaven, and our heavenly life will take place right here.

What is the spiritual perspective?

From a spiritual perspective, we realize, that our true nature is Happiness, Joy, Love and Bliss itself, However, this state can only be realized, when the mind is still, but most of our minds are agitated. What agitates the mind is unfulfilled desire for things, relationships, heaven, all of which are a concept of the mind. Some things we can obtain, which satisfy the mind for a while, but this satisfaction won’t last. We always want more. What we think is that the attainment of our desires, or that place, that job, that person, makes us happy. But this is not the case; it is our inner happiness when it shines forth that makes us happy.

When we realize, that happiness is within, we know that it is there at all times. It can only be obscured by our restless mind. Here we may ask, would it not be wise to just calm our mind and let all those desires go?

Our entire consumer economics is driven by the psychological forces of tension and release of tension. We build up desires through advertising, we get the object, it releases tension and that release of tension we call happiness.

People on the spiritual path who are convinced, that they are not this body nor this mind, but have a body and mind and that there is a spiritual reality within them, which transcends the limitations they seem to have, can experience  happiness of this and the  next world right now.

If one’s goal is to realize his true identity, if this becomes the pursuit in life, and if one is convinced that God exists, that God is real and can be realized or experienced, he can go beyond the sorrows of this world. Experiencing God or God realization is the purpose of life, but we must step away from the mad pursuit of the world outside. To do this, we don’t have to become a monk. We can perfectly live in the world, take care of family, do our job, but internally we need to resemble something like a monk, searching for spiritual realization.

The key to this is, I want to know who I am, I want to experience God and I need to integrate life’s activities into my spiritual life. We can convert all life activities into spiritual life. Child rearing, shopping all the normal activities can be lifted to a service to God.

Spiritual practice is almost the opposite of what a person is doing in the world. We generally think, that if I work for my career and for my family, I will be happy, whereas the person on the spiritual path reverses this. He works for the happiness of others. It could be for the small circle of the family, for the community, or for the world at large.

Once we come to this place in our lives, what do we do? We perform spiritual practices. An ideal leading to God union is the practice of Yoga.

Yoga, the Pathway of Spiritual Dimension

There are essentially four paths, each one suited for a certain temperament.

There is the path of action, karma yoga. The path of selfless work, where every action is offered to God

Then there is the path of the intellect, jnana yoga the path of discrimination between that which is real and eternal and that which is temporal, non – eternal

There is the path of love, devotion, bhakti yoga, where the worshiper merges his ego with the chosen ideal. For Christians this would be God, Jesus.

The enemy of the heart is of the form I want, I desire, passion. Spiritualized love means streams of rays of love are channeled into the world and then directed to, I love God.

The last path is the path of prayer and meditation, rajas yoga. This path is predominately for people who lead  a contemplative life, but also can be incorporated into our normal life.

Among the teachings of Jesus there are many examples which could be classified according to one or another of the yogas. For example, “Inasmuch as you have done unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me”. He was teaching in the spirit of Karma yoga; worship God through service of man.

Jesus taught discrimination and renunciation. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else, he will hold to the one, and despise the other, ye cannot serve God and mammon.

We have essentially been discussing two paths. One is to be happy in the world and try to get to heaven. The other way is the path of spirituality through God realization.

At this point we need to be aware, that we no longer seek happiness only from the world, but we combine spiritual life and our worldly life.

For people new on the spiritual path, even a little practice is a step in the right direction and is never lost.

God is the source of happiness in us. There is an ocean of joy within us. Once we realize this, we go even beyond this, to God realization.

We go from the worldly happiness, to the happiness of spiritual beingness, the attainment of God.

2 Corinthians 5:5 (NLT)

God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.