One of the first articles to appear on this site is titled “Spiritual Fitness” and it provides the foundation for building one’s spiritual physique. The primary concept for developing spiritual muscle is inverting our understanding of life from believing it to be a primarily physical existence to a primarily spiritual one. This defies the wisdom of our age that teaches man is only a biological machine and denies any kind of spiritual life. This is in opposition to the world view of the ancients – including the Bible’s authors – that man is an eternal spiritual being living a temporary physical existence.

For this reason, undertaking spiritual disciplines will be met with questioning looks and disbelief by others, possibly even some inside the church. Becoming the spiritual man or woman God intended you to be is worth all the push back you will encounter by those tied to a physical understanding of life. Indeed, most people are content with the spiritual basics of reading the Bible, prayer and learning from others in the community of Christ, but these disciplines are like the sit ups and jumping jacks of physical exercise in that they will only get us so far.

If you want to have real spiritual strength you have to move on to harder exercises of faith. It’s like the work out mantra says, “If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.” Change begins with understanding that life is about God, not us. This should be evident from any careful student of the Bible. The very first words of the Bible are “In the beginning God…” The Scriptures begin with the work of God, and end with the return of the Messiah for his people: “The one who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon!’ Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all.” One could argue that this is only evidence that Bible is about God, but since it is also written “Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.” Our lives are intertwined with God, and God must always come first.

Once we understand that life is not about us but God, our focus can turn to all that concerns God. This leads us to the second step of spiritual development that, like God, our concern should be for others. The reason for the incarnation we just celebrated at Christmas was to restore God’s relationship with man and to save man from the effects of sin. If God loves us that much, how can we not care about the people around us? Of course this means we inform our family, friends and co-workers about Jesus, but it involves so much more than simply telling them the gospel. The most effective way to lead someone to Jesus is to establish that you already care for them as a person, not simply a target of conversion. Remember, the gospel isn’t about numbers it’s about people.

Becoming spiritually fit starts with an understanding that Life is first about God, and then about the welfare of others even if it it our own expense. After all, our lives are not contained in a mere 80 or so years but will span eternity. Whatever physical possessions or experiences we give up here is nothing compared to what we will experience in the spirit for the rest of time. We don’t know all that God has planned for us, but the Messiah gives us a glimpse into our future reality in the Book of Revelation (21.3-4):

“Look! The residence of God is among human beings. He will live among them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will not exist any more – or mourning, or crying, or pain, for the former things have ceased to exist.”