Topical Bible: Spiritual Life: All Saints Have

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of spiritual life is central to Christian theology and is understood as the life that believers have in Christ, characterized by a relationship with God through the Holy Spirit. This spiritual life is not merely an abstract idea but a transformative reality that affects every aspect of a believer's existence.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible presents spiritual life as a gift from God, granted to those who have faith in Jesus Christ. In John 3:6, Jesus explains to Nicodemus, "Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit." This indicates that spiritual life is distinct from physical life and is initiated by the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this in Romans 8:9-11, where he writes, "You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness."

Characteristics of Spiritual Life

1. Union with Christ: Spiritual life is fundamentally about being united with Christ. In Galatians 2:20, Paul declares, "I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." This union signifies that believers share in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

2. Indwelling of the Holy Spirit: The presence of the Holy Spirit is a hallmark of spiritual life. In 1 Corinthians 6:19, Paul reminds believers, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God?" The Spirit empowers, guides, and sanctifies believers, enabling them to live according to God's will.

3. Transformation and Renewal: Spiritual life involves a continuous process of transformation. Romans 12:2 exhorts believers, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This transformation is evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit, as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

4. Eternal Perspective: Spiritual life reorients believers' focus from the temporal to the eternal. In Colossians 3:1-2, Paul instructs, "Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." This eternal perspective influences how believers live and make decisions.

The Universality of Spiritual Life Among Saints

All saints, or believers, possess spiritual life. This is not reserved for a select few but is the inheritance of all who are in Christ. Ephesians 2:4-5 affirms, "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved." This passage underscores that spiritual life is a result of God's grace and is available to all who believe.

Practical Implications

The spiritual life of believers manifests in various practical ways. It calls for a life of holiness, as seen in 1 Peter 1:15-16, "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" It also involves active participation in the body of Christ, the Church, where believers are encouraged to use their spiritual gifts for the edification of others (1 Corinthians 12:7).

Furthermore, spiritual life is marked by a commitment to prayer, worship, and the study of Scripture, as these practices nurture the believer's relationship with God and foster spiritual growth. In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul advises, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

In summary, spiritual life is an essential aspect of the Christian faith, encompassing union with Christ, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, transformation, and an eternal perspective. It is a shared experience among all saints, shaping their lives and guiding them in their walk with God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 2:1,5
And you has he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Colossians 2:13
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, has he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Communion of Saints.
... For inasmuch as the whole spiritual life of the Christian is due to the ... For if all
Saints have Communion with God, it follows that all have Communion one with ...
/.../burbidge/the kingdom of heaven what is it/chapter x the communion of.htm

Spiritual Desolation.
... The saints have all experienced desolations and abandonment of soul. ... How impervious
to things spiritual, my heart ... Hence, in this life the saints neither desired ...
/.../de liguori/uniformity with gods will/6 spiritual desolation.htm

Of Resisting Temptation
... ADMONITIONS PROFITABLE FOR THE SPIRITUAL LIFE CHAPTER XIII Of ... is written in Job,
The life of man ... All Saints have passed through much tribulation and temptation ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xiii of resisting temptation.htm

The Essence of Prayer.
... the root from these prayers of the saints are the ... is active, either in one or in
all these prayers ... when, in the rare moments of exalted spiritual life, we have ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxix the essence of prayer.htm

Happiness Deriving from Perfect Uniformity.
... to the divine will, the saints have enjoyed paradise ... Accustoming themselves to receive
all things from the ... someone who would teach him the real spiritual life. ...
/.../de liguori/uniformity with gods will/3 happiness deriving from perfect.htm

Strength and Indwelling.
... and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is ... of family
life exists, it comes from God, that all true spiritual life in heaven ...
/.../thomas/the prayers of st paul/viii strength and indwelling.htm

Letter xvii. --Remorse and Rebellion.
... all that is bad is ours, and that all that is ... this is the usual condition in this
present life. These changes are necessary, even in spiritual things, to keep ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/letter xvii remorse and rebellion.htm

Letter vi. --Fear of Wasting Time.
... it as a trial from God which you have in common with nearly all the saints. ... Paul
speaks, and after him all the masters of the spiritual life: this is ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/letter vi fear of wasting time.htm

Enoch, the Deathless
... This rule refers to man's religious and spiritual life. ... This "walking with God" may
be fairly inferred to have been carried out in all the affairs of life. ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/enoch the deathless.htm

How Love is the Life of the Soul, and Continuation of the ...
... we have consequently placed in him our spiritual life. ... charity;"believe, Theotimus,
that all these raptures ... live a superhuman and ecstatic life, raised above ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter vii how love is.htm