Coffee With The Lord

What is authentic “spirituality” – Who really is a “spiritual person?”

Good question eh? … And opinions (and misconceptions) abound!!

In 1 Corinthians 12 – 14 Apostle helps provide an answer to those questions… (This was part of my Bible reading today during “Coffee with the Lord, and is a part of the Bible that I’ve taught from many times)…

Here’s how Apostle Paul starts this section of 1 Corinthians… “Now concerning spiritual gifts, I do not want you to be uninformed…” and then he begins to address the issue.  Interestingly, the word “gifts” in NOT in the original Greek text of verse 1 (it does not appear until verse 4 and has been supplied by the translator simply because of the context).

Capable scholars and interpreters agree that Paul’s greater argument is “WHAT is considered “spiritual” by the Corinthian church” or “WHO is looked upon as a “spiritual” person.”  So the big deal in these chapters (chs.12-14) is what constitutes “authentic Spirituality!”

Let me make a few observations from these chapters with that in focus…

1.  Authentic Spirituality acknowledges and expresses the truth about Jesus
2. Authentic Spirituality affirms the rich variety of giftedness in the church
3. Authentic Spirituality insists that all gifts build up or “edify” the church
4. Authentic Spirituality is characterized by a healthy “Spiritual self-concept”
5. Authentic Spirituality emphasizes Spiritual unity within rich diversity
6. Authentic Spirituality is much more than simply “Spiritual gifts” or “manifestations”
7. Authentic Spirituality recognizes that it is godly character expressed through “love” that makes a person truly “spiritual”
8. Authentic Spirituality encourages broad participation in what the Holy Spirit is doing within the church.
9. Authentic Spirituality longs for the Holy Spirit’s to work in and through a person’s life
10. Authentic Spirituality expresses itself in orderly worship that “builds up the church”