The definition of Organic
What does it mean when something is organic? Organic means that something is produced naturally utilizing the same substances found in the final product without the employment of any artificial or foreign substances to stimulate growth and/or maturity. As an example, organic food products refer to food and meat grown or raised without chemicals or pesticides. Organic means to grow something from natural materials, without any contrived amplifications. (i.e. if living then grown from living material and therefore, if spiritual, then grown from spiritual material).
The definition of Spiritual
What does it mean when it is said that something is spiritual. Being spiritual is related to the influence over or the affecting of the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things. Spirituality involves the recognition of a feeling, sense, or belief that there is something greater than oneself. Being spiritual indicates that there is something more to being human than sensory experience and that the greater whole of which we are a part, is divine in nature.
The spiritual essence or influence comes from the divine Spirit. How do we know what the divine Spirit is? The divine Spirit is God.
- Jesus said if you have seen me, you have seen the father. (Jn 14:9-11)
- The Holy Spirit teaches all who believe in Christ about the father and the son (Jn14:15-17)
The definition of Living
What does living mean? Living is the pursuit of a lifestyle of a specific type (i.e. minimalist lifestyle, country lifestyle, decadent lifestyle, American lifestyle, bohemian lifestyle, etc.). To pursue a specific lifestyle and then act upon that pursuit and “live” that life every day. This is the meaning of living anything.
How do we pursue a spiritual lifestyle?
- By reading about that lifestyle in books. But how do we know if the books are right?
- By learning about that lifestyle from others. But how do we know the others are right?
- By disciplining ourselves in the lifestyle through principles, traditions, dogma, and willpower. But how do we know our dedication to discipline is right?
- By following the spirit. How do we know the spirit we are following is the right spirit?
7 steps to Organic Spiritual Living
Step 1 – Faith and trust in God the father and his son Jesus Christ
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.” (Jn 14:1-4)
Living in Christ starts with trusting the Father and trusting his son, Jesus Christ. Living in Christ starts with believing the promises of Christ with all your heart and knowing that Christ will bring you to live with him forever.
Step 2 – Knowing the Way
“No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” (Jn 14:5-7)
To know the way to God is to know Jesus Christ. To know Christ is to believe in him and trust him to fulfill all that he has promised to every person who believes in him. All that Jesus did and said while he walked among us was as the father among us. To see Jesus is to see God. To hear Jesus is to hear the Creator of all things. To be loved by Jesus is to be loved by the Father of us all. Jesus is the incarnate way, truth, and life of Everlasting All Mighty God.
Step 3 – Jesus is the truth because he is the image of God
Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.” (Jn 14:8-11)
Step 4 – Follow those who bring glory to God
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!” (Jn 14:12-14)
Step 5 – Love of Christ opens the heart to see the leading of the Spirit of Christ
“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” (Jn 14:15-21)
Step 6 – Love is the foundation for learning from the Spirit
Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?” Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. (Jn 14:22-26)
Step 7 – Living a life of peace, love, faith, and contentment.
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe. “I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me, but I will do what the Father requires of me so that the world will know that I love the Father. Come, let’s be going.” (Jn 14:27-31)
