"For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace" (Rom. 8:6). Greatly lacking among some members of the Lord's church is spirituality. This is obvious by their little interest in Bible study, their deliberate absence from many of the services of the church, their refusal to do anything --- -he Cause of Christ and by the things that they talk about.

Some brethren's worldly interests "stick out" all over them. They will go out in all kinds of bad weather to a ball game, a party or to go to work. But the same kind of weather keeps them home from worship. The truth of the matter is that they do not think that worship is worth the trouble or the risk involved in inclement weather. Too many brethren think that worshipping God is sort of an optional affair that is to be done when there are ideal conditions.

We also see the little spirituality in brethren concerning sickness. They can feel just a little bad and they miss worship. Yet, they go to work Monday morning feeling just as bad, if not worse. Spiritual-minded Christians do not do this - just those lacking in spirituality. Certainly one can be sick at worship time and well in a few hours. My point is that some stay away from worship because of sickness, but work while sick. Again, this shows the little value placed on worshipping God.

There are young Christians (?) who will put other things before Christ. Some will miss the assembly Sunday night for a date with a person who has no more interest in religion than a goat has in flying an airplane. Some will go to the dance through the week, take a social drink or frequent the night clubs, and then show up on Sunday at worship. Let me say plainly that they do not come to worship because of their love for God or an interest in pleasing their heavenly Father. They come out of habit or because they are made to come by their parents. One does not live for the devil during the week and then crave to worship God on Sunday.

Brethren, churches are filled with the things about which I have been writing. Carnality is sapping the life and strength from the church for which Jesus died. Many sit back and tolerate the conditions and try to make excuses. "We are only human," some say. Others declare, "Young people will be young people." But after it is all said and done, there is no way to justify worldly mindedness. Alien sinners are kept from obeying the gospel by such hypocrisy. They lose respect for us.

The church needs spiritual-minded Christians who have their minds set on things above (Col. 3:2). With spiritual members, spiritual sacrifices can be offered unto God (I Pet. 2:5); the erring brother will be visited and restored (Gal. 6:1). Notice that the spiritual are to do the restoring. The spiritual will offer their bodies as living sacrifices to God (Rom. 12: 1, A.S. V.). Brethren who live in the Spirit will walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:25). Vine says, "The spiritual state is reached by diligence in the Word of God and prayer; it is maintained by obedience and self-judgment." May we strive to be spiritual.

TRUTH MAGAZINE, XII: 10, p. 4
July 1968