Are You Spiritually Healthy?
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:1-2
A simple way to gain an understanding of your current spiritual health is to take a diagnostic exam based upon Romans 12:9-21 which says:
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:9-21).
Now that you have read this passage, ask yourself the following questions:
Am I increasing in my love of God?
Am I increasing in my hatred of sin?
Am I increasing in holy living?
Am I increasing in my love of others?
Am I increasing in the fruits of God’s Spirit?
Am I increasing in generosity to God & others?
Am I increasing in forgiveness?
Hopefully this series of questions will bring to light some areas that you need to surrender to the Lord, prayerfully asking Him to change your heart. Or perhaps you will be encouraged (or have the ability to encourage others!) by acknowledging your response.
If you are wanting to increase your spiritual health, I would like to leave you with these final statements as a challenge to grow your relationship with Christ:
Fulfill your purpose with the body of Christ.
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness (Romans 12:3-8).
1 Corinthians 12
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved (Acts 2:42-47).
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them (Romans 12:6).
Take Individual Responsibility
Let the Holy Spirit grow and use you in God’s good work through His church
Intentionally Fellowship.
Develop caring and committed relationships.
Humbly Serve
Share towards each other in times of need & reach outside the church to show Christ’s love in a tangible way.
Passionately Worship.
Ascribe glory to God and enjoy His presence!
Courageously Evangelize.
Lovingly connect people to Christ by intentionally sharing the Gospel message.
Constantly Pray.
Speak with God personally, regularly, and for one another.
Teach Yourself & Others.
Personally and corporately study God’s Word.
