Are You Religious Or Spiritual? - Zac Poonen
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Summary
The speaker distinguishes between being religious and being truly spiritual, using Psalm 119 to illustrate that God's word brings light and understanding to the simple. He warns that mere religiosity, like counterfeit currency, can lead to eternal loss, contrasting it with genuine spirituality. True spirituality requires understanding the eternal truths revealed through scripture, rather than just following external rules or human understanding.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Psalm 119:130 and the unfolding of God's wordGod's word is like something closed; when it is unfolded to the simple, it gives light and spiritual understanding.Psalm 119:130
Two streams throughout scripture: religion and spiritualityFrom Genesis to Revelation, there are two streams of people: those who understand spiritual reality and those who are merely religious.
The two trees in the garden of EdenThe tree of life in the center represents true spirituality, while the tree of knowledge of good and evil represents religiosity.Genesis 2:9
The fatal error of religious peopleReligious people seek a knowledge of good and evil rather than life, but Jesus warned that religious Pharisees faced eternal judgment.
The flaming sword guarding the tree of lifeA flaming sword was placed at the tree of life to guard it, meaning the flesh must be crucified in Christ to gain access.
Cain and Abel: Maximum versus minimumAbel brought the very best of his flock as an expression of his love, whereas religious people like Cain offer the minimum required to be accepted.Genesis 4:3–4
Abraham, Ishmael, and Isaac: Human wisdom versus God's timingIshmael was produced through human cleverness and trying to help God out, while Isaac was born only when human strength was reduced to zero.
The spies at Canaan: Personal safety versus God's honorThe ten spies were driven by a desire for personal safety against the giants, while Joshua and Caleb were concerned solely with God's honor.
Saul and David: Physical appearance and head versus the heartSaul was distinguished by his handsome physical appearance and reliance on his head, whereas David was a man after God's own heart.1 Samuel 9:2
Pharisees and Jesus: External human righteousness versus inward divine righteousnessThe Pharisees practiced external, legalistic righteousness, whereas Jesus walked in inward divine righteousness that purged sin from the heart.
Babylon and Jerusalem: The harlot system versus the holy cityBabylon represents religious systems cozying up to worldly and political power, while Jerusalem represents the humble bride of Christ.
The cube of Jerusalem: Having depth in your christianityJust like the city of Jerusalem is laid out as an equal cube with length, width, and height, a true believer must have private spiritual depth to match their public impression.Revelation 21:16
