Today we will try to discover the difference between the word religious and spiritual, if there is a differ- ence. I have heard these two terms bantered about for lo these many years. We will begin our search by turning to our old reliable, the dictionary.
religious
a. [OF. religius, religious, F. religieux, from L. religiosus. See Religion.] 1. Of or pertaining to religion; concerned with religion; teaching, or setting forth, religion; set apart to religion; as, a religious society; a religious sect; a religious place; religious subjects, books, teachers, houses, wars.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
And now we will do the same for the word spiritual.
spiritual
1. Of, relating to, consisting of, or having the nature of spirit; not tangible or material.
2. Of, concerned with, or affecting the soul.
3. Of, from, or relating to God; deific.
4. Of or belonging to a church or religion; sacred.
5. Relating to or having the nature of spirits or a spirit; supernatural.
You see there definitely is a difference. Religious is an outward form that people exhibit in their daily routine in life. While being spiritual is probably the most important part of our innermost being that we very often are careless about. Spirituality has to do with one's relationship with God. It cannot be put on as a garment nor attained by any other method than from within. Friends have maintained this from their early beginnings. George Fox told about his experiences, and I quote,
"But as I had forsaken the priests, so I left the separate preachers also, and those esteemed the most experienced people; for I saw there was none among them all that could speak to my condition. When all my hopes in them and in all men were gone, so that I had nothing outwardly to help me, nor could I tell what to do, then, oh, then, I heard a voice which said, "There is one, even Christ Jesus, that can speak to thy condition";[30] and when I heard it, my heart did leap for joy.
Then the Lord let me see why there was none upon the earth that could speak to my condition, namely, that I might give Him all the glory. For all are con- cluded under sin, and shut up in unbelief, as I had been; that Jesus Christ might have the pre-emin- ence who enlightens, and gives grace, and faith, and power. Thus when God doth work, who shall hinder it? and this I knew experimentally."
As far as I am concerned, and I was a pastor for 22 years and in the ministry all told for 39 years, Religion and religious organizations are the frame- work that furnishes the means for attaining the spiritual life. It is our individual relationship with our Creator that we experience within that makes the difference between being religious and being spiritual. No one can create that relationship for another. It has to happen to each person individually. One person can aid another by providing circumstances which tend to help others want to discover God in a real way, but that is the best that can be done. Spirituality comes within each individual as God' spirit comes and makes his residence there. You allow that to happen when you invite him into your life.
My prayer is that my ministry through these web pages may help some person find God on his own deep within in his own spirit.
.gif){kind=small}
