Its Permanency and Stability
I choose to call it a reality, first, because it’s permanency and stability. True spirituality is not a flash in the pan, or stroke of inspiration, even though it brings us to unknown heights and transports a man to extraordinary living.
There are those who are convicted about the condition of their souls, push themselves into a great zeal, but then fizzle out; they were on fire, but then they cool off; they sprouted up quickly, and quickly wither away, because there was no real root (Matt. 13:21). This maybe compared to the quick movements of the nervous system of an insect with its head cut off, which no matter how much it moves, will not be for long; but the motions of holy souls are constant and regular, proceeding from a permanent and living reality.
It is true that this Divine reality does not always reflect the same strength and vigor, and many times suffers low points and weakness in temptations, and at times less power in obedience living; but it is never fully extinguished nor are we ever left to our own defenses against the carnal impulses which rule over the rest of the world.
Its Freedom and unconstrainedness
Again, true spirituality can be referred to as reality, because it is an inward, free and self-moving principle; and those who advance in it, are not merely outwardly motivated, driven by threats, or bribed with promises, nor curbed by laws; but are empowered to do which is good and delight in doing it.
The love which a godly man brings to God and goodness, is not so much out of obligation to laws, as by a new nature that teaches and prompts him to do it; nor does he perform his devotions out of duty just to appease the justice of God, or quell his guilty conscience. True spiritual exercises are the proper outflow of the Divine reality, the natural expressions of the new born life. He prays, and gives thanks, and repents, not only because they are commanded, but rather because he knows his needs, and the goodness of God, and the folly and misery of a sinful life. His love is not forced, nor his charity plied from him, for his love makes him willing to give. Though there are no outward compulsion, his “heart would devise liberal things”; injustice or abuse, and all other vices, run cross-grained against his nature, as rudeness to the most sensitive spirit, and nakedness to the most modest of men: so I can say with St. John, ‘Whosoever is born of God does not commit sin: for his seed remains in him, and he cannot sin because he is born of God’ (1 John 3:9). Though godly and spiritual people know the law of God, and regard it highly, it is not out of the law, but is reason, purity, and goodness, which wins their hearts. They see that obedience is a delight in itself; the reward is doing it, because the Divine love which enables them to act has become a law unto itself.
Quis legem det amantibus? Major est amor lex ipse sibi.
(Who shall prescribe a law to those who love? Love’s a more powerful law which motivates).
In a word, what our blessed Savior said of himself, is in some degree applicable to his followers, ‘my food and drink is to do my Father’s will’ (John 4:34). As the natural appetite is towards food, even though we don’t always think about it as necessary for life, so it is with the spiritual life moved by a natural and free flowing appetite for that which is good and commendable. It is true that at times we need those external motivations to jump start and stir up this inward reality; especially in our early growth and in weak days, where we don’t discern much life and we can hardly put one step forward, but then aided by our hopes, or fears, some trial; or the relief of mercy, or the threat of the law or the eyes of others. Now if such a person who is seeking true obedience has an inward sense of their dull heart and greatly desires to obey out of a life-giving spirit; this is the first sign of a divine reality, though it is faint and weak, it will be cherished and blessed by a heavenly grace to grow into maturity. But, without this first sign, a person who is content with going through the motions of spiritual duties by training, custom, a fear of punishment, or heavenly reward, can in no way be identified as a spiritual person, than a puppet on strings can be called a human.
This forced and artificial type of spirituality is heavy and sluggish, like a heavy burden that has to be pushed up; it is cold and lifeless, like a married couple who were forced to wed out of duty or obligation and not out of love for each other. Therefore this artificial spirituality is surface and without depth and has no power to truly do battle against the carnal impulses and those who slave under this law will do only that which is required, because once they do their duty, they gloss over the true condition of their heart. But authentic spirituality is honest and gracious and not given to such foolish games because they belong wholly to God and never at any time think they have done their duty.
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