If you put the Bible first in anything, you can expect a bumpy road. But when Paul says that spirituality starts with whether or not we receive the revelation of the Spirit of God (1 Cor 2:14-15), this is exactly what he means. Here are three reasons why this is not only true, but necessary.
Firstly, Paul explains that salvation itself begins with the word of God. In Romans 10:14-15, Paul explains the connection between evangelism and the word of God. There is a direct line from calling on the Lord for salvation to belief, to hearing, to someone preaching, to the word of God. Without the starting point of the word of God, the preaching and ultimately calling on the Lord cannot happen. Salvation, therefore is dependent on and must begin with the word of God.[shareable]There is a direct line from calling on the Lord for salvation to belief, to hearing, to someone preaching, to the word of God.[/shareable]
A second reason is that the scriptures are sufficient for biblical spirituality. Timothy was taught the scriptures from childhood because they have the power to make us wise for salvation through faith in Christ (2 Tim 3:15). Not only this, but the scriptures are able to equip us for every good work as a man of God (2 Tim 3:16-17). The Bible is foundational to Christian spirituality because it is able to make us genuinely spiritual–spiritual the way God wants us to be spiritual, since it is God’s own words.
Thirdly, to not listen to the word of God is to reject the possibility of biblical spirituality. Jesus made this clear in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16.19-31). After the rich man died, he experienced the torment of Hades (v23) and wanted Abraham to send Lazarus back from the afterlife to tell his brothers to avoid the same fate. Abraham refused saying, “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.” The rich man knew that they would not listen to the Old Testament writings and so he asserts “if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!” Abraham is unmoved and replies, “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.” Abraham’s point is that if someone won’t listen to the Bible, neither will a miracle convince him. What is left to bring repentance? According to Jesus, to not pay attention to the word of God is to put yourself outside the possibility of faith and repentance. [shareable]According to Jesus, to not pay attention to the word of God is to put yourself outside the possibility of faith and repentance.[/shareable]
Spirituality means receiving the revelation of the Spirit of God. If we reject the revealed word, we don’t don’t have authentic, biblical spirituality. Therefore, authentic spirituality, starts with and is is founded on the Bible.
[reminder]How do you keep your spirituality founded upon the Bible?[/reminder]
