Friday, September 01, 2006

# 165: Two Entities in One Person

We have different types of desires that motivate us to do and be what we are. They can make us feel great about ourselves or unfilled. Quite often, we go along just catering to our everyday superficial needs and desires without examining our innermost needs. Once we do start to examine the driving forces behind our desires, we must ask, “Why do we think we need ‘whatever’ to make ourselves feel fulfilled?”

What we should do is somehow attempt to excavate as deep as we can into our semi-hidden desires to see why we do what we do. I am certain everyone can benefit—including this author—by actually seeing what makes us tick. This challenge will be extremely difficult for the simple reason that we will, most likely, fib to ourselves and pat ourselves on the back in an attempt to make ourselves feel as if our desires are legitimate and necessary.

The first desire we must bring out into the open is this: What is the most valuable “whatever” in our lives? That desire might be partially fulfilled, or nothing more than a dream at this time. If you think you recognized it, ask yourself: If and when this desire materializes, will it make me a better person morally, make me feel complete, and in what way?

The question is, if we reached our holy grail, then what? Does one start all over again to find some other worthwhile desire? Or does one just sit back and live off the fat of the land? I am certain it all depends on one’s age and one’s level in life; that will make the answers differ considerably.

The answer is, if we are catering to our physical being, all is well and good. Food, shelter, clothing and a few bucks in the bank, and the physical man/woman is satisfied. Those four basics could be only a pittance, or grandiose in an extravagant lifestyle. Either way or in between, the vast majority of humanity would be satisfied with that end.

Yet, there is the spiritual part of us that can never be satisfied with material things, regardless of how exorbitant they may be. Even though some don’t believe we have a spirit, still many believe we are physical beings with a spirit. That is partially true. But the truth of the matter is that we are spirit beings with a physical body. And when that all- important spirit is deprived of the purpose for its existence, there will be a futile longing for completeness.

Besides our intelligence that makes us superior to lower primates, that spirit part of us is the extremely unique part of the human race that raises us above the animal kingdom. It sometimes is called the seat of our emotions. That is where love, compassion, empathy, hate, and a battery of other emotions are generated. Also, it is the vehicle which gives us the potential to connect with other spirit beings, hopefully God’s Spirit.

As I briefly mentioned above, the reason we are spiritual beings with a body, and not vice versa, is because our spirit, which does not occupy space, is the part of us that is able to survive physical death. Our spirit, above and beyond our memory as we know it, is also the hard drive, if you will, which records our thoughts, which are not physical, and our deeds that were physical, all at one time.

Some might ask, “What happens to our spirit at death?” Well, if the New Testament is the authority for Christians, we/our spirits sleep in death until the resurrection (the judgment). At that point in eternity, we will be given a body—although not flesh and blood as we know it, and reconnected with our spirits; then we will have to give an account to the Judge of all we ever said, thought, and did, and the motives behind them, a dreadful experience for many.

Getting back to everyday life. . .Therefore, when our desires and motivations are worldly and not in tune with the needs of our spirit, which engages in activities which make us rich toward God, we, without knowing it, are going in the wrong direction as to finding completeness/fulfillment. The contentment the material world achieves for us is transient and unstable.

Nevertheless, since we live in a physical world, we have many vital physical needs that must be catered to in order to survive. But they are not to be given priority over our spiritual needs. At this point, Jesus Christ turned the world’s values upside-down. We, by in large, favor the physical things in life, though Jesus commands us to place greater value on spiritual commodities. The distinction between the two is greater than the different between darkness and light.

Consequently, there are two types of wealth: material and spiritual. The shrouded fact is that the more one needs in a material sense is indicative of a famished spirit. The less one needs and desires of worldly things and attitudes is the result of their spiritual wealth. That holy wealth regards things of material value as extra baggage, and disposes of them in a Godly manner wherever and whenever needed. This does not mean that every materially poor person is rich in spirit; they may be poor twice-over. In that context, it is correct to say that an excellent barometer of one's spirituality (connection to God) can be measured by one’s desire for possessions of worldly things and attitudes (power, fame, prestige, financial wealth, and most other worldly things) that make a person feel successful. Repeating, the above-mentioned human instinct which desires worldly security and contentment is an indication that one is running on near-empty in eternal values.

I am certain many are thinking, “Why can’t one be rich materially and spiritually at the same time?” The answer is simple: because spiritual wealth (rich toward God) is a much more powerful influence than anything this world can offer; consequently, things of material value are actually discarded since they lose their value when eternal wealth starts to makes its appearance. Luke 16:15. “What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.” I am certain this concept will not be accepted or put into practice by most church people. Nevertheless, this is what Jesus meant when He said in Luke 12:33-34, “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. . . . For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” A person’s heart cannot have two loves. Matthew 6:24. “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Here is another one: Luke 14:33. “In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.” Does that answer your question? Was Jesus just spouting off, or is this a hard and fast commandment? As I have said a dozen times, Jesus does not engage in friendly suggestions, but imperatives.

This above teaching is totally unnatural to any person with an impoverished spirit, which many “christians” have. These absurd commands can never be espoused by the majority of organized churches per se. That is one of organized religion’s crimes against God, which this blog has been exposing for over a year.

Above and beyond the proper care our bodies need (nutrition, exercise, sleep, etc.), it is fair to say that our physical bodies are nothing more than instruments to care for and cater to the desires and needs of our spiritual, invisible, incarcerated twin. Another piece of holy science as to the lack of desire for material/financial riches is this: How can a genuine Christian have more than she/he needs when others, first Christians and then unbelievers, are without the basic necessities?

The one quality that enriches our spirit is God‘s love for others in need, which He displays through His family. Jesus knew the plight of the poor firsthand. Luke 8:2-3. “The twelve were with him [Jesus], and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them [Jesus and the disciples] out of their own means.”

Therefore, when He and His disciples had extra, if even that, they also gave to others in need, leaving an example for us. John 13:29. "Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to GIVE SOMETHING TO THE POOR." [emphasis added]. Could you just hear Jesus saying, “I am sorry, but we won’t be able to help the poor today; they will get along somehow, because we may need the money to buy bread for ourselves tomorrow”?

Let me make my point: Is or was there ever any person richer than the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Jesus Christ)? He possessed/s true spiritual wealth, which He so desperately desires us to have.

Here is what sounds like a conundrum, but in reality is a spiritual mystery: No matter how much contentment and completeness he/she is deriving in their spirit life, which is true wealth, they always seem to be in a state of spiritual poverty. To put it another way, they can’t seem to do enough for God, regardless of how much they do, even when they seem to be making every effort. Why is that?

Let me give a material comparison. A millionaire was asked, “How much money do you need that would make you feel as if you have enough?” She answered, “Just a little bit more.” The fact is, when a person has a good thing, either materially or spiritually, he/she always seems to desire more.

That is the reason the closer a person gets to Christ, the clearer Christ’s perfection comes to light. That makes a person feel poor, and with good reason. If you don’t understand this principle, that is okay. It is a spiritual secret that, to a degree, is being brought to light. Listen to what Jesus said in Matthew 5:3. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Some would call this verse nonsense. How can one who is poor in spiritual matters be blessed and promised heaven? One would think a person who is rich in spirit would be heaven-bound.

Here is a little-known truth which might help clarify the aforementioned: Needs and desire make true poverty. One with a few modest needs and desires is wealthy beyond the human imagination. Therefore, one with lofty needs and desires is poor even as he/she possesses an empire. The same principle is true in the heavenly realm. If a person has Godly and majestic needs and desires, that person is extremely poor spiritually, and for that reason is blessed by God.

In conclusion, since the concept was brought out that we are spiritual beings, we, in order to feel complete, must be rich with spiritual substance. The riches this world gives do seem to give contentment, security and other good feelings, but are unstable, and in the end, they will fail the test of giving joyful contentment that lasts and lasts under all circumstances. The best part of spiritual riches is that they can’t be stolen or lost because they are in safe keeping with God; and most likely, very few, if anyone, will know you or I posses this wealth, which can’t be measured with human words; people will just think we are spiritual fruitcakes.

I truly realize this section seems far-fetched according to human standards. And for anyone to follow this principle of making our spirit rich at the cost of material goodies is contrary to all we have learned since birth. Simply put, there is one-in-a- million chance that anyone will go this route. I have, and I wouldn’t go back to worldly standards of living even if my life depended on it. Check Matthew 22:14. “Many are invited, but few are chosen.” If you are not convinced, read these hard-edged words one more time and attempt to poke holes in this unique concept; if you can’t, give a copy of this article to a religious friend or pastor. I will be looking forward to your comments and email. Remember, we are two persons in one body; which one will we choose to dominate our spirituality? People who claim to be genuine Christians have a hard choice to make. May God truly bless all who take this message to heart.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

would be easier to read if you had better layout. filling page to the sides is not good.

JC said...

Thanks for your critique. I really don't understand what you mean by fulling page to the sides. Can you be more descriptive or give me an example of what you mean?

As far as I know, I have no control of the layout. blogger.com uses this format. I will check if there are different layouts. Thanks again.