Spiritual (v.) Physical
After a 7-month break - here we go.
"Are spiritual problems or physical problems more important?"
This question is asked in many ways by people in various fields who have given their lives to causes in which they believe strongly.
For some the answer is easy - though they disagree.
Some say "spiritual" problems are more important. Spiritual problems include "sins" of selfishness, pride, dishonesty, irreverence, etc. Jesus himself said "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mat 16:26 NIV) Obviously, the sins that separate us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2) have eternal, not just temporary consequences. The Apostle Paul said, "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Cor 4:18 NIV) According to this view if you starve to death, but are able to be saved for eternity you are better off than if you lived a well-fed life and die and are subsequently condemned for eternity. Who would argue with that?
Others say "physical" problems are more important. Physical problems include disease, war, poverty, hunger, etc. Jesus himself said, "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'" (Mat 25:45 NIV) So Jesus confirms his expectation that his followers respond to physical problems. Obviously, justice is important to God. Matthew attributed the prophecy of Isaiah 42:1-4 to be of Jesus in Matthew 12:18-21. In it God's servant "...will proclaim justices to the nations," and will lead "justice to victory." Social justice is at the heart of physical problem in our world that are very near and dear to the heart of God.
So which is more important?
I wonder this - "Why must the two be in competition?" The Bible says that "faith without deeds is dead." (James 2:26) Jesus follows his statement in Mat 25:45 by saying that those who do not care for the physical ailments of those in need "...will go away to eternal punishment..." (Mat. 25:46) It seems like our response to physical problems carries heavy spiritual consequences.
I'm interested in dialogue.
Why have these two choices been pitted against each other?
Should they be separated? Why or why not?
Grace and Peace!
"Are spiritual problems or physical problems more important?"
This question is asked in many ways by people in various fields who have given their lives to causes in which they believe strongly.
For some the answer is easy - though they disagree.
Some say "spiritual" problems are more important. Spiritual problems include "sins" of selfishness, pride, dishonesty, irreverence, etc. Jesus himself said "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mat 16:26 NIV) Obviously, the sins that separate us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2) have eternal, not just temporary consequences. The Apostle Paul said, "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Cor 4:18 NIV) According to this view if you starve to death, but are able to be saved for eternity you are better off than if you lived a well-fed life and die and are subsequently condemned for eternity. Who would argue with that?
Others say "physical" problems are more important. Physical problems include disease, war, poverty, hunger, etc. Jesus himself said, "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'" (Mat 25:45 NIV) So Jesus confirms his expectation that his followers respond to physical problems. Obviously, justice is important to God. Matthew attributed the prophecy of Isaiah 42:1-4 to be of Jesus in Matthew 12:18-21. In it God's servant "...will proclaim justices to the nations," and will lead "justice to victory." Social justice is at the heart of physical problem in our world that are very near and dear to the heart of God.
So which is more important?
I wonder this - "Why must the two be in competition?" The Bible says that "faith without deeds is dead." (James 2:26) Jesus follows his statement in Mat 25:45 by saying that those who do not care for the physical ailments of those in need "...will go away to eternal punishment..." (Mat. 25:46) It seems like our response to physical problems carries heavy spiritual consequences.
I'm interested in dialogue.
Why have these two choices been pitted against each other?
Should they be separated? Why or why not?
Grace and Peace!
posted by Daniel Cherry at 1:37 PM
4 comments
