DO-IT-YOURSELF SPIRITUALITY

I have been attending a group of 30+ spiritual seekers. Almost all of them have embraced an underlying assumption. They believe that they can achieve spirituality. For many of them, spirituality is a matter of being “a good person.” This same idea is expressed in many ways. Some describe it as being “other-centered” or as “living the virtuous life” or as being “a loving person.” However, it all comes down to the same thing. We’ve got what it takes to be spiritual.

To some degree, we should applaud and encourage this. It is a reflection of the fact that God has imprinted His moral truths upon our conscience (Romans 2:14-16) and for a good reason. This would be a horrible world if He hadn’t done so. It is because we have these truths engraved within us that we seek to love others and feel guilty when we don’t. Consequently, many in the group talk about the joy they experience when they do love others. This too we should applaud.

However, I don’t think that many of these beautiful seekers have connected all the dots. What dot might they fail to see? The fact that this internal law also shows us how far short we fall from our internal standards. When we seek to love, we find out how selfish we can be. When we seek to be other-centered, we also observe how self-centered we are. In other words, it is a very humbling process, as it should be:

·       Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:19-20 ESV)

This law should show us that we cannot boast. Instead, we should see that spirituality comes from the Savior, whom we must seek out (Matthew 7:7-8), and that we are not capable of truly being spiritual.

However, Christ is the stumbling block, the offense. Many in this group are afflicted with depression and anxiety, but they have many problems with the idea of Jesus. One young lady correctly expressed the problem that Christianity is exclusive and not unifying of all the people of this world. He requires that we believe in Him, and many claim that they cannot. I encourage them to pray for the truth and not what feels comforting to them.

Here is another dot that needs to be connected, one which they fail to see. By believing that they can achieve spirituality and the peace that comes from true spirituality, they are actually adding another burden upon their faltering shoulders. They are seeking, through their own strength and ability, something that they cannot achieve. If they are honest with themselves, they will see how far short they fall from their ideals. However, they are like mice in a maze. They are convinced that they will find the door that leads them to freedom, but they are not finding it. This frustration leads them to greater depression and despair.

However, having rejected the God of the Bible, they are left with no other choice but to find the door, which leads to freedom.

However, it is Christ alone who gives freedom. He promised:

·       “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)

Learning the truth of my own inadequacy, I have also learned that if Jesus loves and forgives me, I can begin to accept myself and to accept others.