The spiritual man

It has been claimed by some that, at least in "the west", we are living in the most "spiritual" age in the history of mankind. That may well be so - but "spiritual", I would suggest, can be a very vague word! For example, the Cambridge Dictionary defines it as: "relating to deep feelings and beliefs, especially (not solely!) to religious beliefs."

In the Second (New) Testament, the word rendered "spiritual" is the Greek word pneumatikos, from which theologians have coined the term "pneumatology," the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Thus, from a Biblical perspective, a "spiritual" person is one who is not only born again spiritually through faith in Christ and the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit, but also tries diligently to follow the leading of the indwelling Spirit and to understand and obey the precepts of the Bible inspired by Him.

A spiritual person will have "the mind of Christ" (I Corinthians 2:16), able to judge all things by spiritual standards and Biblical revelation. He or she will "walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." knowing that "to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." (Romans 8:4, 6). As such, spiritual believers prayerfully make decisions seeking God's will, they are "led by the Spirit of God" (Romans 8:14). And since they "walk by the Spirit," they "do not gratify the desires of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16).

 

They will often and repeatedly be "filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18) for Christian service. Furthermore, they will manifest "the fruit of the Spirit" in their lives and personalities — that is, "love,[expressed in] joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;" (Galatians 5:22-23).

 

Yet while "The spiritual man" is thereby able to discern and evaluate all things by such divine standards, he will find himself often misunderstood by unsaved relatives and acquaintances, for " The unspiritual man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God, ...... because they are spiritually discerned." (I Corinthians 2:14).

 

However, "he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life." (Galatians 6:8). 

The "Light" Equation

Leading a Bible Study, this week, in the congregation where I was minister more than 50 years ago, and using an illustration from my teaching career that involved a reference to quantum physics (!), has possibly influenced the topic for this week's blog post!

Light, which can be in either wave, or particle, form is the most constant, clearly observable, and all-pervasive material experience in our universe. It also appears regularly, in the Biblical text, which is rich with metaphors and similes! 

In John's first letter, he makes the simple, but profound, statement that "God is light" (1:5). In his account of the Gospel record, John also makes a number pof references to light. God's life is the light of men (John 1:4).

God's light is not conquered by darkness (John 1:5).

God's light attracts men who love truth (John 3:21).

Jesus is the "light of the world" (John 8:12).

 

John's emphasis in his epistle is focused on the application of the "light" in our lives. Since God is light (see also I Timothy 6:16), we can never be a participant in the life of God apart from the light of God (I John 1:6). If we claim fellowship with God, we must "walk in the light, as He is in the light" (I John 1:7). Since God is the "true light" (I John 2:8), we are not part of His family if we despise those He loves (I John 2:9).

 

It is equally obvious that since Almighty God is "holy" (Psalm 99:9) and "righteous" (Daniel 9:14), the light that we are to "shine" (Matthew 5:16) must be a "like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day". (Proverbs 4:18).

 

Our breastplate of righteousness (Ephesians 6:14) should blind the ungodly with the brilliance of our lifestyle of holiness — so much so that even if we are spoken against by those who hate God, they will be forced to glorify God because of our good works (I Peter 2:12).

 

Because the God of our salvation is "the light of the world" (John 9:5) and we have been made "the children of light" (Ephesians 5:8), that we "may declare the wonderful deeds of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." (I Peter 2:9).

Fifth Sunday

My apology. This should, of course, have been posted last Sunday and, indeed, the link was was sent out to those on the mailing list at that time. No idea why I failed to publish it at that time. However, "better late than never" - although, as my SS teacher, some 70 years ago, would point out: "Better never late"!

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Yes, it's another "Fifth Sunday" - the second for this year. Two more to go! Indeed I read somewhere that every year has four such months, but the specific months vary. Perhaps some clever person can confirm/deny this claim!

As is now usual, I wish to share something about the persecuted church and, of course, promote one of my own books, remembering that all royalties from purchases are sent, directly, to Release International, in support of the persecuted church.

Many years ago, I realised that I could not meaningfully pray for all of the 50+ countries in the world where, to a greater or lesser extent, disciples of Jesus suffer persecution solely because of their faith in Him. The Lord directed me to pray for three specific countries. One of those was Pakistan, and in this post I am sharing a bulletin from Release International that arrived in my Inbox today (Friday), and that concerns that very country.

"One of Release International’s partners in Pakistan cares for, supports and disciples those who have come to faith in Christ from a Muslim background, particularly those who are isolated because of their faith.

Our partner organises gatherings where believers are able to encourage one another and build one another up in faith and community.

Pray for the head of our partner organisation, who has had surgery following a stroke earlier this year. He considers it a miracle that the surgery was able to take place. Pray for complete healing and restoration.

Pray for Christians from a Muslim background in Pakistan. Pray that they would continue to grow in their faith. In particular, pray for two brothers who were recently baptised. They had previously been tortured for professing faith in Christ.

Pray for those living in a safe house provided by our partner; for continued good and fruitful fellowship. Pray also for the provision of an additional safe house in the coming months."

If you wish to learn more about Pakistan, please follow this link:

https://releaseinternational.org/country/pakistan/?utm_source=Emails+from+Release+International&utm_campaign=9491abf2c3-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2026_05_28_08_22&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-9491abf2c3-381802718

"Great Words" was my first publication in a series that was to be known as "Getting to know you". However, I eventually realised that the succeeding books didn't really fit well under such a general heading, and so I changed it to the "Faith" series, as that word is the real common denominator.

The book started off, in Bellshill St. Andrew's Parish Church (now U.F.Church) as a summer sermon series of 6/7 words that I realised many in my congregation didn't fully understand. The story of how they became a book is shared in the Introduction! One of those who endorsed the book wrote: 

"Brian presents his work as the long-term fruit of preaching and broadcasting.  His aim is to give simple explanations of key Christian terms for the 'ordinary Joe' who has no formal theological training, but who would benefit from a clearer grasp of basic Christian concepts.  He maintains a preaching style throughout, and illustrates his explanations from his own rich experience and wide reading.  Throughout the work, he challenges the reader to respond to his writing.

Rev. Dr. George J. Mitchell

Former Lecturer in Old Testament Studies, the Bible Training Institute"