I have a few friends who have a deadly cancer.
So, for these past few weeks, I’ve been reflecting a lot on the importance of the condition of one’s spirit as it relates to one’s eternal destiny. My hunch is that most people, given a choice, would desire that heaven be their eternal resting place after they die here on this earth.
“For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” ~ 1 Timothy 4:8 (New King James Version)
The above verse could be said this way – ‘Physical exercise and physical fitness – the condition of our body – is important, but spiritual exercise and spiritual fitness – the condition of our soul or spirit – is much more important.’
For more than 15 years, my job responsibilities in corporate and military settings in which I worked had to do with personal fitness and wellness. I especially helped others address the care of their physical health and to be physically fit.
Over the last 10 years, through the Faith and Health Connection ministry, my focus has been on helping people attend to the condition of their spirit or soul. I’m absolutely convinced that one’s physical health is very often, a reflection of their spiritual heart and health. When our spiritual self is well and at peace, a positive inner environment is created that impacts in a positive way on our physical bodies. That’s one reason the writer of a popular proverb writes the following:
“Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.” Proverbs 4:23
When we are spiritually fit, through our beliefs and behaviors according to the principles found in the Bible, we are more inclined to live a healthier lifestyle. So this ministry is primarily about encouraging people to address issues of spiritual health by applying biblical principles in hopes that their physical health will be positively affected. And by being healthier physically, they can have more energy and better function to live life in a way that serves others and glorifies God.
Yes, our physical health is important for many reasons. Yet, our material self, our physical bodies, are mortal and will die, and will end up being buried in the earth one day. The Bible tells us that when Jesus comes back to earth, all the bodies of believers who have died will be raised from their graves and ascend to heaven and they will be given new heavenly bodies. Those believers who are living will also be raised to heaven at that time. (1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 1 John 3:2)
But back to the condition of our spirits or souls and their eternal destiny.
We all have a form of cancer. It’s called sin. We inherited a sinful nature from the first man, Adam, when he disobeyed God in the Garden if Eden. This sin separates us from our Creator, a holy God. In his holiness, God can not be in a relationship with us unless we are spiritually clean… unless our sins are forgiven. So God, who is also a just God, required his Son, Jesus, to pay a price for all our sins by dying on the cross. Jesus’ death was the sacrifice that was required for each of us so that we could be spiritually connected with God and in relationship with him.
At your core, you are a spiritual being and your spirit or soul will live forever. How can you know what will happen to your spirit after you die physically? A few verses in the Bible will help us understand the answer to this question.
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) This verse explains that your spirit will continue to have ‘life’ for eternity in heaven if you believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins.
Before Jesus died on the cross, He prayed this prayer to God the Father, “Now this is eternal life: that they (all people, including you) may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3) So, those who know the God of the Bible, by a personal relationship with Jesus, will experience eternal life, in heaven.
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (Jesus in John 14:6) Through the Apostle John, Jesus is telling us that the only way to have a relationship with God, the Father, is to be in a relationship with himself (Jesus).
Deep in each of our hearts, we all have a wiring, a yearning, a longing to be in a meaningful relationship with our Creator, the God of the Bible. This is true of you as well. This is your strongest spiritual need that you were born with. And the verses above make it clear that the way in which you can have this relationship with your Creator, the God of the Bible, is by being in a relationship with Jesus, His Son. To receive God’s free gift of salvation and eternal life, we must look to Jesus and Jesus alone. We must trust in Jesus’ death on the cross as our payment for sin so that we can have a relationship with a holy God and subsequently live eternally in heaven.
God “wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4)
Where will your spirit go after you die? Are you spiritually fit for eternity in Heaven?
You have a choice. You can be sure that your spirit will live eternally in heaven with God. Visit this page on the website to read how to enter into a relationship with Jesus.
Do you know someone you care about who may benefit from reading this blog post? Consider forwarding the link to them. If you received this blog post from someone, know that they care about you and love you enough to be concerned about the condition of your spirit and where you will spend eternity.
If you desire to talk about the condition of your spirit, your relationship with God, or your eternal destiny, please contact me through the website or call me at 803-802-3210.
Spiritual Fitness – Related Resources
Article – Get FITT Spiritually ad Physically
Blog Posts About Spiritual Fitness
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