The Practical Steps to the Deeper Spiritual LIfe
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
The Practice of simplicity has its difficulties. The first can be found in the problem that is presented in attempting to comprehend how simplicity applies to the Christian life. What does it mean for a Christian to live a life of biblical simplicity? Moreover, by acknowledging that simplicity has a degree of difficulty, we appear to oppose the very essence of its definition. How can something be both simple and difficult? How can what is basic also appear complex? Of course, this is the basis of much philosophical thought, the ability to distinguish between the appearance of something and its true essence. To those familiar with the way of spiritual life and the mystical pursuit of a God who is both incarnate and invisible, this paradox is a familiar spiritual principle. Since man is both a natural being, his temporal existence, and a spiritual being, his true eternal essence, it is evident that truth is often disguised as something other than what it actually is. Only by seeing simplicity in the light of its eternal reality can we begin to discover its true meaning and actual purpose as a Christian practice.
The second difficulty with simplicity is that it is often measured according to individual cultural standards. What may be called “simplistic” in one culture may be seen as extravagant or elaborate in another. Those living in the many impoverished third world countries today might consider even the most spartan western lifestyle as lavish. Those who live in the abundance of the materialistic western society may see the simple and essential life style of the undeveloped nations as difficult and complicated with the burdens of poverty. In either case, simplicity is often esteemed according to arbitrary terms. This difficulty arises from the same source as does our first example. When something is esteemed by its appearance or only within a specific setting, its actual reality often remains a mystery.
Christian simplicity can in part be described as the intentional practice of essential and fundamental living. It involves the rejection of the philosophy that more is always desirable or that bigger is better, preferring instead an existence without lavish convenience, unnecessary technology, or the luxury of creature comforts. It does not necessarily include the extreme ascetic view that all poverty is honorable or want virtuous. Rather, it embraces a life of contentment in essentials because it perceives the sensual realm as insignificant in comparison with the spiritual and singular reality of God. It is a life that finds contentment in simple yet eternal things.
Since the early church age, all of the great Christian masters have taught or promoted simplicity to some degree. It has appeared as spiritual discipline, devotion, doctrine, and even as a standard for Christian community. Although many sects and segments of the Christian faith have encouraged some form of simplistic living, those who have emphasized simplicity as essential to a spiritual life style have become a minority voice in the modern church age, and this is especially true in the materialistic western society. Of those segments of the Christian church that have endeavored to maintain the message of simplicity, many have deteriorated into legalistic asceticism and formalism, apparently forgetting the original purpose of their devotion to a simple life.
When true simplicity is degraded to a religious disciplinary act performed without sincere affection, it succumbs to its legalistic appearance and abandons any true spiritual nature. Misunderstood by the larger body of secular and religious society that embraces abundance, technology, and comfort, those who willingly abstain from cultural complexities to pursue spiritual life are often critically labeled puritan and ascetic in their faith.
True simplicity, as practiced throughout the centuries by many of the great pioneers of faith, is the result of a life whose affections are simply and passionately directed towards God. It is a life that lives in the lavishness of His love, the grandeur of His great wisdom and knowledge, and the daily comfort and assurance of His promises. Contrary to appearance, spiritual simplicity is not a spartan existence for those who are motivated by the reality of God’s love. When the simple life finds its abundance in the love of Jesus Christ, the temporal treasures and sensual comforts of this material world are stripped of their attraction. Here the believer does not sacrificially separate himself from worldly conveniences; he simply neglects them in pursuit of the weightier riches of the Kingdom of God. Simplicity is absolute contentment in God, a spiritual and eternal contentment that leaves the believer indifferent to the sensual comforts of this natural world.
Those who pursue a life of simplicity are those who have gazed into the abundance of heavenly riches and gladly defer the inferior comforts of this world in their favor. Like the man who discovered a treasure hidden in the field, they willingly and joyfully sell all they have to possess that treasure (Mt. 13:44).
In discovering a relationship with Jesus Christ, a single contentment is born that over shadows all other desires for gratification, seeking to be satisfied in the reality of Christ alone. To embrace true simplicity, the heart must first be “singular” in its affections for God. King David, a man after God’s own heart, was willing to forsake all he knew for the promise of eternal life. The wealth of his Kingdom, the power of position, and the comfort of his palace were all abandoned because his heart held one passion for this life. He confesses that passion in the twenty seventh Psalm saying, “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple” (Ps 27:4, KJV). Although exalted by God and made ruler over all the tribes of Israel, King David remained a simple man with a single purpose in life.
Jesus preached singleness of passion so that His followers might live a simple life of eternal purpose. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” (Mt 6:33, KJV). When Christ alone occupies the passion and desire of the human heart, a life of productive simplicity will exist. As the heart is consecrated to the single purpose of Jesus Christ, the natural life will experience conformity to the spiritual reality of simplicity.
Simplicity of life will only come with simplicity of being. Man cannot be divided in his desires and actions, willing one thing and performing another if he is to experience spiritual life. If he is to live in the simplicity of spiritual life, he must become united in his entire being to become united in his purpose in life. This means when man lives in the simple unity of body, soul, and spirit, he lives as a spiritual man. This is the image of the eternal God who exists in the perfect unity of His triune being. Although existing as a Trinity or Triune God, God is one God, the perfect spiritual being. Since man is made in God’s image as a triune being, it is when the body, soul and spirit of man are brought into unity of purpose, that he too becomes a perfect spiritual being. The transforming process God designed to bring the entire created being of man into uniformity of purpose is sanctification. “And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire (one)” (1 Thess. 5:23, ASV). It can be said that sanctification makes a soul a simple, singular, and spiritual being.
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
In attempting to more effectively communicate the principles of spiritual life to those who sincerely desire a deeper reality in their walk with Christ, I have discovered that most people appreciate practical and straightforward instructions, and this is especially true when it involves the mystical nature of spiritual life. Although spiritual life is not meritoriously attained through natural means or human effort, there are several “Practical Steps” that can be taken to help facilitate the practice of spiritual disciplines. The combination of these “Practical Steps” with the spiritual disciplines themselves will work to promote a dynamic life of faith that will effectively bring the believer into a productive and rewarding relationship with God.
“Man is an intentional creation of divine wisdom explicitly designed to fulfill a sacred purpose”:
“Agape love requires a soul to empty the wealth of its humanity upon the altar of God as a willing sacrifice”
“If determination is to live up to its potential in promoting the spiritual life …, it must be united with some very fundamental practical steps”
“Heaven should not be a “culture shock” to the consciousness of the believer; it should be a gradual final step into the glorious reality of a spiritual life whose progress began at conversion”
“Divine pleasure must be the goal of human effort, not divine favor”
“The genuineness of what we actually believe is nowhere so obviously exposed as in our daily schedules”
“It does not take overtly carnal acts to corrupt the days of a man’s life, for inattention and idleness produce the same result as evil actions or wicked intentions”
“Liberty must always precede service if either are to be authentic”
“It is our great love for the Father, not our initial desire for salvation, that motivates and liberates the sincere believer to live a life of chosen obedience to God”
About the Author
In his more than twenty-five years of experience as a pastor, bush pilot, and missionary in Alaskan villages, the Central Rockies of Idaho, and upon Native American reservations in New Mexico, author Larry Mehaffey has discovered the reality of an authentic and vibrant spiritual life. Through the wisdom of the Spirit’s guidance, the Word’s assurance, and the historic example of many of the great mystics and saints of God throughout the ages, he has allowed the disciplines of spiritual life to be daily practices that continue to bring a greater intimacy with Jesus Christ and a deeper understanding of the Father’s eternal purpose.
While living isolated from many of the normal conventions of modern society, he has learned to daily depend upon the Holy Spirit’s guidance and provision in both meeting his personal needs and the demands of the ministries in which the Lord has entrusted him. Today, that life of simple Christ-centered faith continues for Larry and his wife Betsy as they live off the grid in a log cabin they have built themselves high on a bench overlooking the Salmon River Valley of Central Idaho.
Still pastoring a small church in a nearby mountain community, Larry is able to further pursue a life of quiet devotion and spiritual reality in the solitude and sanctuary of his mountain cabin. It is here, in extended times of prayer and study, that the Lord has developed his understanding of what John Wesley called “the religion of the heart,” the way of dynamic spiritual life that is found in Jesus Christ alone. Larry’s first book, The Ancient Path to the Deeper Spiritual Life, reveals the disciplines and devotions necessary to begin to experience the Lord’s continual presence in the inner man. The Practical Steps to the Deeper Spiritual Life introduces some of the “practical steps” a believer can take to create an environment where the disciplines and devotions can produce truly spiritual fruit. These “Practical Steps” along the “Ancient Path” await all who are sincere in their desire for authentic spiritual life and determined to know Jesus Christ in a more personal and dynamic faith.