Liberal Spirituality

The trade mark of the 21st century is its easy, instant and quick ways of attaining things. Speed to acquire, produce, perform different duties at all different levels have drastically improved or changed. The spiritual orientation of the multitude also changed according to the developing world. In the past, we read about many hundreds who went in to the desert so that they may get tortured in the name of the Christ. Persecution has stopped during those years and living a hard life by themselves in the desert and wilderness was the way to unify with the persecution Christ had to face. Therefore, we see many monks and nuns who lives in the wilderness praying to the Lord continually. The Church fathers provided every day with time zones to conduct different prayers and worship sessions.

Time has changed, and the old methods does not have much impact on the newer generation. Certain Churches held to their tradition, like the Orthodox Churches, and some developed new theories, initiated new methods etc to keep the membership along with claiming the tradition, and some went out developing their own theories and styles of worship. New 'organizations' formed in the name of Christ, with many many different ideas, and often, no base. Within all these different sectors of people claiming to be right, there are a group who are hanging to the mercy's hand of Christ too much, without even realizing, understanding or giving a second chance to think what should be done for the glory of God.

The majority nowadays has a very liberal view of Christianity, and each has their own particular definitions of it, as the way to salvation. Therefore, people follow different ways, some uphold the idea of staying and praying at home rather than going to Church(even though it is an excuse for laziness), some goes to fellowship meetings at the same time when their own Church is celebrating the Holy Eucharist, many forget to give importance to the tradition of practices provided from the spiritual fathers like lents, seven times of worship in a day, etc., and many more. All these different steps are done with a claim of attaining spiritual unity with Christ, but it is rather an option to satisfy their own emotional/intellectual needs/thoughts, and not spiritual needs. 'I' feel the need to go to a fellowship because 'I' think it is the right thing to do and therefore 'I' do it! 'I' think I get spiritual happiness through the fellowship meeting more than attending the Holy Eucharist on a Sunday. Spiritual happiness should not be compared to emotional overflows! It is basically satisfying what 'I' think is right, and not what is said in the Bible and the tradition as right! Focus should be given to what HE thinks is right and not what 'I' think is right. They claim that because Christ is the center of Christianity, it is OK to be wherever!

How good is it for a person to wander around different sections in search of spiritual fulfillment? How well can one assure and make sure that the new organization/group found is preaching the correct faith? How many of these organizations are able to understand the Bible in the true way, and how many are able to follow it? We know that Devils best tool to deceive is the Word of God itself. While tempting our Lord, he used the Word of God. How often will we get in to confusions lead by devil by misinterpreting the Word? Therefore, it is very required to understand the faith from a trustworthy source, and not to be liberal about spirituality. "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Heb 13: 7, 8). Our faith should be focused and well explained, and therefore, it is needed to stay and learn from one school rather than wandering around a 100. Spirituality needs to be sought and found. Do not make it clash with the emotional needs, not with 'your' own ideas. Rather trust the Word of God, and those teachers who were directed by the Holy Spirit for centuries. May our spirituality be stern. Praise be to Him.