True Spirituality
Living A Prayerful Life
Tolerance
Western secularism fosters growth of customized, consumer-targeted spirituality. Beginning in the mid-20th century, evil’s subtle promotion of freewill encourages tolerance, support, and normalization of hypersexuality, feminism, and many other wicked perversions.
In the 21st century, God’s people see the fruit of evil’s labor: open mockery of “Our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13, ESV).
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Believers assume mystical gimmickry designed to embrace everything except God appropriates the term spirituality, corrupting what once pointed toward Christ but now points toward evil (Isa 5:20).
A simple internet search of spirituality returns things like women’s spirituality, walker’s spirituality, Jesuit, Native American, and New Age spirituality; spirituality to satisfy any desire.[1]
In The God Who Draws Near, Haykin defines true spirituality as the binding of God’s people to the Holy Spirit and His work.[2]
Defending Spirituality Tied to the Holy Spirit’s Work
Haykin turns to the highest authority, Scripture, in defense of his explanation of True Spirituality. He cites five of Paul’s letters to the churches, and one to the Apostle’s Son in the Faith (1 Tim 1:2).[3]
God’s love, poured into hearts through the Holy Spirit (Rom 5:5), derives from Christ’s completed work on the cross (Titus 3:6).
In 1 Corinthians 12:3, it is only the Holy Spirit’s teaching (Luke 12:12) that imbues God’s people with the courage to proclaim Christ is Lord.
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God’s adopted sons (Gal 4:6) receive boldness to approach Him, from the Holy Spirit’s work in them (Rom 8:15).
In Ephesians 2:18, Haykin sees the Holy Spirit working to build unity among God’s people, from the least to the greatest, so they come to know the Lord (Heb 8:11).
Without His work, sanctification and glorification do not happen (Phili 3:3). Jesus’ crucifixion starts the Holy Spirit’s creative work in the new man (Gal 6:14-15).
Haykin sees the Spirit’s work underwriting Jesus’ teaching (2 Tim 1:14) ensuring it will continue after His ascension (John 15:26).
Agreeing With Haykin’s Definition and Defense
New Testament Scripture proves God binds His people to the Holy Spirit’s work. Since God’s Word is inerrant, and supports Haykin’s true spirituality definition, Believers must agree with it.
When the Spirit indwells the Elect, He works by guiding them into truth. The Holy Spirit declares only what He hears, in the divine council, to God’s people (John 16:8-11).
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He intercedes for the Elect, who in weakness, lose their ability to articulate needs, with His groaning appeals (Rom 8:26).
Jesus explains the council of God will send an Advocate, another Helper, after His ascension, to resume the work which He once did in them (John 14:16).
The Holy Spirit’s work expands to teach His people the Way, the Truth, and Life (John 14:6) bearing witness to Jesus’ ministry (John 15:26).
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Haykin proves the Holy Spirit is not an enigmatic spiritual force, but is an active participant working within Believers, to cause their growth toward Christlikeness through prayer, worship, and testimony to, of, and about Christ.
Agreeing With Haykin’s Christ Centered Work of Ministry
In Haykin’s, Christ Centered Spirituality chapter, he posits Jesus causes the Holy Spirit’s indwelling of Believers.[4]
Citing the Lord’s own words, as recorded by John in his gospel, the author impresses upon his readers unity within the Godhead (John 17:21), and the Holy Spirit’s faithfulness to His role in it by declaring all glory to Christ, now seated at the Father’s right hand in Heaven (Heb 10:12-13).
The third person of the trinity convicts, comforts, intercedes, and teaches with the Father and Son. The Holly Spirit maintains Christ-centeredness throughout all His activity within the Elect.[5]
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It is the triune Spirit of God that works in them always until the Lord’s approaching return (Rev 22:7,12). Haykin stresses the Holy Spirit’s humility using Packer’s analogy of a flashlight ministry, to highlight the Spirit’s emphasis on Christ and His teaching ministry alone.[6]
He explains the Holy Spirit’s teaching focuses on love and adoration for Jesus by exalting and glorifying Him throughout the world (Acts 1:8).
Men who do not proclaim Jesus King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Tim 6:15; Rev 17:14, 19:16) do not enjoy the Holy Spirit’s indwelling.[7]
I’m Grateful For Your Support
Since God is Spirit (John 4:24), and Jesus is God (John 1:1,4), we must conclude the work of the Holy Spirit in God’s people focuses on the incarnate God, Jesus.
The Lord they ate with, learned from, and followed while He lived among them (John 16:14).
Christ is at the center of the Holy Spirit’s work. The Spirit teaches holiness to those the Lord sends Him into, not for holiness’ sake itself, but because Jesus is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16).
Agreeing With Another Statement
Haykin writes about evidence of the Spirit-filled life resulting from His work in God’s people. Alexander Bonar (1810-1892) published his personal journal reflections on time spent alone in prayer with the Lord.[8]
Bonar documents how our neglect of time alone with God weakens us, and how correct priorities, making God first, restores our strength through the Lord’s strength.{9]
Most likely Bonar draws from Scriptures like: seek first the kingdom of God (Matt 6:33), seek His will in all you do (Pro 3:5-6), and if you love your father or mother more (Matt 10:37).
Thanks For Reading
Believers express gratitude for all God has done, is doing, and promises to continue doing in prayer before rising, throughout their day, and prior to sleeping again.
Prayerful expression of gratitude for God’s grace acknowledges His benevolence, faithfulness, and sovereignty in and over the universe (Ps 107:1).
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[1] Edith M. Humphrey, “It’s Not About Us,” Christianity Today 45, no. 5 (2 April 2001), 68.
[2] Michael Haykin, The God Who Draws Near: An Introduction to Biblical Spirituality (Evangelical Press, 2007), xix.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid., 21.
[5] Ibid., 21-22.
[6] J. I. Packer, Keep in Step With The Spirit (Old Tappan, New Jersey: Fleming H. Revell Co., 1984). 64-65.
[7] C. H. Spurgeon, The Greatest Fight in the World (London: Passmore and Alabaster, 1891), 64.
[8] Haykin, The God Who Draws Near, 53.
[9] David M. MacIntyre, The Hidden Life of Prayer (Tain, Ross-shire: Christian Focus Publications, 1989), xiii.