“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ” (Philippians 3:7–9, NIV).

“But the goal of ourinstruction is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from a sincere faith” (1 Timothy 1:5, NASB).

“ ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘ “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment’ ” (Matthew 22:36–38, NIV).

There is a version of spirituality that looks a lot like the real thing, but it is not. When I ask people to describe what it means to be spiritual or godly or religious, they often begin to make a list of things a “good” spiritual person does and doesn’t do. Without realizing it, these people have reduced spirituality to adherence to a list of dos and don’ts. Success equals accomplishing the good list and avoiding the bad one. However, I have found that those who attempt to live out this version of spirituality either eventually become frustrated and ditch the list, or strive to keep the list perfectly and become incresingly cold-hearted and judgemental toward those who are less successful list-keepers.

Whether you are running from the rules or obsessing over them, here is the point: neither of these things is Christianity. Neither is what God wants from you or for you. True spirituality is not adherence to a list of rules or activities; it is enjoyment of the greatest of all relationships. While cultivation of intimacy with the Almighty certainly involves doing activities, those activities are a means, not an end. And that makes all the difference.

True spirituality is not simply the execution of a list of disciplines; it is the cultivation of intimacy with God. Our target is not discipline, it is devotion.

If your study of God’s Word or attendance at religious services does not become a deeper love for him in your heart, then you are doing it wrong. We get to use all manner of activities for the great aim of enjoying the One who gladly gave himself up for us. Any discipline we practice is a way to express and deepen our devotion to the Almighty. When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, he said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37 niv). The goal of all our endeavors is love, and a primary place to begin is within our minds.

What you think about is what you will care about, and what you care about, you will chase. That’s why Paul told the Colossians, “Set your mind on things that are above” (3:2 nasb). The first step we take, the step championed over and over again in the Scriptures, is to load our mind with thoughts of God. We load our minds with thoughts of God to stir our hearts with a passion for God, which propels us to live lives that honor and enjoy God. Cultivate intimacy with the Almighty and deepen your devotion to him by harnessing all the means at your disposal.

Respond

What does it mean to you to be spiritual?

How do you currently express your devotion to Christ?

What shifts in your mindset would help you know God more intimately and enjoy him more thoroughly?