TEACHING

Daryl Wood

(Daryl is a fivefold teacher on Don Atkin’s apostolic team.)

THE "SPIRITUAL HEALTH" CONTINUUM

The pigeon-holing of people into boxes is, more often than not, a futile exercise. Still, descriptive labels can have some value and application. Many published studies, both in the church and the secular world, have addressed this phenomenon from the vantage point of personality differences. Similar and arguably even more important conclusions can be garnered by observing variant spiritual conditions, or the character of different persons. By examining certain biblical categories of individuals it is possible to gain insight into what I refer to here as a "spiritual health" continuum.

It is critical to recognize that categorical appraisals of people, however accurate they may be for any given point in time, are never static. Those who are the Lord’s people are ever in a state of change—either moving toward greater conformity to the image of Christ, or away from Him. Some move more rapidly than others. Often the movement comes in the form of "three steps forward, and two steps backward." This aspect of fluidity complicates the definition of that continuum, but it does not overturn its significance.

In the contemporary application, almost all spiritual evaluations fall neatly under the headings of "saved" or "unsaved." This is unfortunate, for a couple of reasons. First, the "saved/unsaved" designation forces one to view the spiritual condition of "saved" man as an instantaneous, fixed, and complete condition. This is an abuse of terminology, since the Bible does not use the word "saved" in this sense. Further, it doesn’t use the term "unsaved" at all! Rather, salvation (Gr. Soteria = to be made whole, delivered, healed, saved from danger or punishment, etc.) is represented as a transforming encounter with the Savior, Jesus Christ. This encounter can be viewed from the standpoint of an initial introduction to Him, the ongoing process of involvement with Him, or a future culmination of experience with Him. In each case, it is completely intertwined with the aspect of relationship with the Savior.

Secondly, through term-switching, the word "salvation" has presently taken on a whole new connotation that is absent in its original usage and intent. It is now inseparably connected to a future destination, i.e. heaven (or, in the case of the "unsaved," hell.) By linking the wholeness that one enjoys due to his present relationship with Christ with this aspect of a future destination, the meaning of the word "salvation" shifts violently, and is distorted. Instead of ". . . he who endures to the end shall be saved," we now have, ". . . he who is saved shall endure to the end." (See Matt. 24:13.) I am in no way denying the existence and validity of heaven and hell. What I am saying is that in today’s common practice the words "salvation," "saved," etc., have taken on a whole new meaning that is entirely different from what is portrayed through their uses in the scriptures. A resulting effect is that some whom we would call "saved" (at least in the real biblical sense of the word) are actually not elect, while some others whom we would refer to as presently "unsaved" are elect, since these will ultimately be saved!

Having established the inadequacy of trying to place all of mankind into two convenient, but inaccurate storage bins--"saved" and "unsaved,"--I now concentrate on some labels that do have an authentic biblical basis. Unlike their redefined counterparts, these typecasts address the present condition of individuals and groups. They avoid any future forecast, but rather go to the only thing for which one can be held accountable—the present state of his heart. Hence, they require ownership for one’s own choices, instead of offering speculation as to God’s decision when it comes to the sorting of sheep and goats. The list below is far from comprehensive, but it does offer at least a flavor of the descriptive terms that the Bible uses to define where one falls on the "spiritual health" continuum:

1. The Dead

But He said to him, "Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God (Luke 9:60)."

As in the natural so in the spiritual, this "flat-line" state is completely void of the life of God. The clear equivalent in modern jargon is "unsaved."

2. The Sleeping

"‘To the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: `I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. `Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God (Rev. 3:1, 2).’"

"For this reason it says, ‘Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you (Eph. 5:14).’"

This comatose condition lies somewhere in the elusive margin between death and life. Exactly how and where does it fit into the "saved/unsaved" boxes? Is one who is in a vegetative state and on life-support alive or dead?

3. Hard of heart, Unbelieving

"Afterward He appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table; and He reproached them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen (Mk 16:14)."

There is no question that they were His own. Yet Jesus had a rebuke for the eleven, because they had not believed His word, nor had they believed those who testified of His resurrection. One may be a "Christian," but have a hard heart. This is definitely not a healthy spiritual condition. Yet how many of us who would consider ourselves on the "saved" list fall into this category at this very moment?

4. Sluggish, Slow of heart to believe

"And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises (Heb. 6:11,12)."

"And He said to them, ‘O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! (Luke 24:25).’"

This is an improvement from the previous category. Still, it represents a sick spiritual condition, and one that merits the Lord’s reproof today, just as it did 2000 years ago.

5. Hungry and Thirsty

"The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost (Rev. 22:17)."

"’Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied (Matt. 5:6).’"

Regardless of their starting point, those who recognize their lack and are seeking the life of God are already well on the way to finding Him. He is near to all who call upon Him in truth (Ps. 145:18). Like the father of the prodigal, He runs to greet those who are now drawing near to Him. This is a healthy first step, and one that guarantees continued growth, as long as it is sustained. We should never lose this hunger and thirst for more of God, even as He continues to fill us with Himself.

6. Righteous

"If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him (1 Jn.2:29)."

"Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous (1 Jn. 3:7)."

All who are walking with Him enjoy His favor, and right standing with Him by virtue of the finished work of Jesus Christ. As brand new creatures in Christ, they are free from the old grave clothes and now experience the newness of life. This condition generically applies to all who are presently in right relationship with God. It represents health indeed, yet God offers even more of Himself!

7. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Full of Faith

"Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. . . . And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people (Acts 6:3, 4, 8)."

"When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with one purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. For he (Barnabas) was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord (Acts 11:23, 24)."

Not everyone who is righteous is filled with the Holy Spirit. The baptized converts in Samaria believed the evangelist Philip as he preached about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. Yet they did not receive the Holy Spirit until Peter and John made a special trip from Jerusalem to lay hands on them. (See Acts 8:12-17.)

Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and lived a righteous, even sinless life. However, He was not empowered for His public ministry until He was 30 years of age, and filled with the Holy Spirit at His water baptism. (See Luke 3:21, 22, and 4:1.)

There are numerous examples in the scriptures where saints were released for the service of God following an occasion when they were filled with the Holy Spirit. In fact, the empowering that comes with the Holy Spirit’s infilling is an absolute prerequisite for effective ministry. (See Acts 1:8.)

Contrary to the teaching of some, this infilling of the Holy Spirit is not supposed to be a one-time event. Rather, the Lord’s people are to be continually being filled with the Spirit, as indicated by the Greek verb tense used in Ephesians 5:18. To attempt to serve the Lord without His Holy Spirit’s enablement is a wasted effort.

In one sense, being righteous through faith in Jesus Christ is a condition that is impossible upon which to improve. Yet because being filled with the Holy Spirit actually involves the receipt of Christ in a greater dimension, I have listed this state as further along in the continuum of spiritual health.

8. Established in the faith

"And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach-- if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister (Col. 1:21-23)."

"Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude (Col. 2:7, 8)."

" After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you (1 Peter 5:10)."

Even as concrete undergoes a hardening process, there is a place in God where His own become grounded and settled in His purpose. This is not to suggest that they could henceforth never stumble, because this stability is exclusively attributable to their remaining rooted in Him. If their confidence was to ever be subsequently misplaced upon themselves, they, like Samson, would find themselves once again to be living as mere fleshly mortals.

A state of "conditional permanence," whereby one’s trust in the Lord is unwavering, is available to all those who receive this promise through faith and patience. It is a function of abiding in Him, even as it produces the same. Once again, I’ve listed "being established in faith" further along the spiritual wellness spectrum, by virtue of the fact that a sustained, quality relationship with Him leads to an even greater manifestation of His work and presence in the life of a believer—i.e., His victory in us breeds even more victory.

Conclusion

The purpose of this article is not to induce anyone to class or compare himself with anyone else. Rather, the intent is to encourage each to engage in constructive self-examination, and also to reflect upon the fullness of what God has made available to everyone who truly belongs to Him. A similar negative continuum could have been drawn up, providing clarity on the varying degrees of depravity among those who do not love and fear God. This, however, would have detracted from the present theme of spiritual health, and therefore was left out of this commentary.

The ever-popular "saved/unsaved" paradigm is both inaccurate and counterproductive. I offer this model as a substitute for it, and I believe it to be a much more useful and biblical means of classification for those who wish to assess their own spiritual wellbeing, as well as to be positioned to more successfully minister to others. As with any other model, evaluations are only good to the extent that the honesty and discernment of the assessor allows. For this tool to be effective it must be embraced as a reminder of the essential aspect of present relationship with Christ, and not as a means for self-promotion or furthering the illusion of spiritual ladder-climbing. Each of us are benefactors of whatever measure of health that we currently enjoy due to the graciousness of the One who has invited us to be partakers of His divine nature. Certainly He offers so much more of Himself than any of us have taken hold of, or even considered. May our hearts ever expand to receive more of Him and His life!