Spiritual Truth

Spirituality is something that that frustrates me more than anything else. In its essence, spirituality has come to mean the belief i n a spiritual reality but without being able to say that one religion is more accurate or better than any others. A "spiritual" person is one who attempts to derive spiritual truths from all religions. I don't know how one qualifies "truth" in the spiritual sense without a clear religious base (i.e. Christianity) other than to say "it's whatever works for you." Spirituality refuses to make a clear statement of belief in order to remain nonreligious. In this light, I am adamantly religious.

Certainly truths can be found in other religions, but let me be clear as to why. Truth is that which reflects God's character or design. When God (Yahweh of the Bible) is reflected in another teaching, or when the teaching of God and his Prophets are repeated in another teaching, there is no harm in gleaning that truth in that perspective. In fact, it can be greatly beneficial. However, this should only be done provided it is qualified by a Biblical premise.

The reason I am so frustrated by spirituality is that it is, quite frankly, a lukewarm, uncommitted belief system. This is many-fold more dangerous to one's spiritual life than, say, atheism. I have long said that I much rather converse spiritual truths with an atheist than with an agnostic, for the simple reason that an atheist is solid win what they believe.

This is a Biblically supported point of view. In John's Revelation, God says that He would rather us be cold or hot, and if we are lukewarm He will spit us out of His mouth. In other words, an uncommitted belief system is repulsive to God. Why? Because it is incredibly dangerous, and more of a lie than a straight rejection of God.

Spirituality attempts to please everyone by saying, "Do what feels right for you." It's no wonder that this sort of belief system has gained the popularity it has in the United States. The one thing that most "spiritual" people have in common is that they ascribe to an eastern belief system to some extent, usually Buddhism. I am very familiar with the story of Sadartha Ghatma and the teachings of the Dali Lama. Many of their belief systems are summed up in saying to live in harmony with everything. Similar to what Jesus said when He said, "The greatest law is this: love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength. And the second is like it: love your neighbor as yourself. All the law and the prophets rest on these." And when Paul said, "Whenever possible, live at peace with everyone."

Looking at the first law, though, there is no room for error. The greatest, most important law is to love the Lord God (Yehovah Eloheem) with absolutely everything. This is complete commitment. The word used for strength is more accurately translated as vehemence. Jesus stated this even more clearly when He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." It's not a matter of preference, or my truth versus yours. It is about The Truth. This is my reality.