Regular physical health checkups are an important part of many people’s yearly schedules. These assessments help us to gauge our well-being based on a number of indicators, which are individual aspects of fitness that reflect on our overall state. Many people religiously schedule these visits to the doctor—while an equal number probably put them off indefinitely. In either case, our physical health is rarely a matter of indifference since even those who avoid the doctor are concerned about the state of their bodily soundness (Eph. 5:29).
Given the amount of attention (and worry) that people devote to their bodies, does not it seem somewhat funny how little care we devote to our souls? We meditate at length about how we can train, nourish, clothe, clean, beautify, and enhance our bodies, yet few of us give regular attention to the state of our spiritual health—and if we are thinking reasonably, we should give extreme attention to our heavenly health!
For some people, spiritual vitality is almost never an object of consideration. They give little thought to the individual aspects of spiritual fitness that reflect on their overall state of health as a Christian. What are those indicators of health or sickness?
First, obedience is a helpful measure for us. If we wish to know how much we love the Lord, we should examine the degree to which we treasure obedience and hate sin (cf. John 14:15). In 1 John, holy living is an indicator of spiritual vitality (2:5-6, 2:29, 3:9, 5:3-4) and the absence of holiness indicates spiritual deadness (2:15)! I am not saying that our obedience saves us or gives us merit before God (cf. Luke 18:9-14, Rom. 10:3), but that everyone who has been saved by Christ alone will therefore strive to obey Him (Eph. 2:8-10, Titus 2:14), and that this obedience is a marker of our health or sickness. Consider an analogy.
A Christian is considering marrying an outwardly moral but unbelieving pagan. If that Christian goes through with that marriage, it would be like having all of your hair fall out in large clumps. Can you live without your hair? Absolutely. Is a person dead if their hair falls out suddenly? No, not necessarily. But if all of your hair fell out at once you would be gravely concerned about the state of your bodily health. Suddenly losing all of your hair is an indicator of more serious problems that remain hidden. It would be the same for that Christian: marrying an unbeliever is a frightening indication of spiritual insensitivity to sin—and might actually be an indicator of total spiritual deadness.
We can assess our spiritual health in part, then, by examining whether we are striving for holiness or we are indifferent to obedience.
Second, an abundance of loving service is an indicator of spiritual life and health (1 John 2:10, 3:10, 3:14, 3:18-20). Dedication to the needs and preferences of others is indication that we are truly taught by God (1 Thes. 4:9-10). Generous ministry, for example, is obedience to the confession of the gospel (2 Cor. 9:13) and is indicative of the operation of the surpassing grace of God (2 Cor. 9:14).
Third, our level of spiritual health is indicated by our interaction with the Word of God. If a person is humble before God’s Word and has true knowledge of it, then it likely that that person is spiritually mature (John 8:31-32). There are biblical doctrines that are provided to the spiritually mature (1 Cor. 2:6), and orthodoxy is generally given as one indication of true faith (1 John 2:23-24, 4:6, 4:15, 5:1). Fidelity to the Word of God is basic to our spiritual growth and health, and deep longing for it is indicative of increasing maturity (Ps. 119:123-128).
These three things help us know whether we are growing, stagnating, or somewhere in between. We should be careful to assess our spiritual health, for the ramifications are far more serious than for physical health. God is good to bless His children—and part of that blessing is gloriously correcting us when we stray into destructive sin. Assess your spiritual health, and pray that God would give you clear insight into your own maturity (Rom. 12:3).
In all things, seek to glorify God in Christ. If you are healthy, praise Him (Rom. 6:17-18)! If you find you are unhealthy, repent and reexamine the gospel of God’s grace. “Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you” (James 4:10). In any case, seek an accurate assessment of the health of your soul—may God give you blessed spiritual and physical health (3 John 1:2).
--Dean of Admissions
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