by Leastone

Created on: February 20, 2007   Last Updated: May 17, 2007

The spiritual life of man, that is, his religion, is the vast, unknown, final frontier of his being. Born into the earth, he finds himself by learning to negotiate matter, and his social environment. How? By constant observation and questioning; he learns how to live in a physical body, within the relationships society offers-by getting answers. Should he not then, with fear and trembling perhaps, inquire into the spiritual dimension of his existence?

Foundational to his experience as a spiritual being is the principle: Ask; seek; and inquire-then you will find answers and solutions. This imperative, again, is balanced by the surety that (presently) we can only know in part. Man may know; has to know, but he cannot know it all.

It is in his very nature explore, discover, and uncover. He has done so in every age, with its ever expanding new horizons. The frequent feature of "FAQ" on websites testifies that the modern age is no exception. Technology has invited more people to ask more questions, with more answers readily available than ever before.

No longer is the inquiry into the nature of existence, and the meaning of life, the exclusive domain of the few. The few have become a great multitude, yes, but still does not include all. Philosophy and theology exist because of man's contemplation of the (spiritual) mysteries, attempting to answer man's deepest longings, yet the depth and intensity of that thirst is not shared equally by all. This is an important consideration.

There are millions upon millions who are satisfied with only a limited engagement offered by their structured faith. Participation in the ritual, and subscription to the broad strokes of the faith's formal Confession, stems more from satisfying basic psychological needs, such as the need to belong, and to be acknowledged and confirmed, than from a quest to seek spiritual growth and perfection.

But regardless of one's level of participation, whether of "blind faith," or of an informed belief, some questions should be asked by all.

Since the entire purpose of religion is an ordering of life into a right (harmonious) relationship between the greater Spirit of God, and the fellow spirits of men, in a submission to the spiritual principles that govern that life, self-inquiry is the task laid upon us all. While it is important that such questions about one's own spiritual condition be informed by sound doctrine, such knowledge is secondary to answers on the state of the heart provided by that still, small voice of the conscience, available to one and all.

In the words of the Apostle Paul (1 Co. 13:2, GW ):

I may have the gift to speak what God has revealed,
and I may understand all mysteries and have all knowledge.
I may even have enough faith to move mountains.
But if I don't have love, I am nothing.

We are to seek the truth; asking, we may receive it. And as our understanding is enlightened by it, we believe it, for one only truly believes that which is understood to be true. Now, faith may please God, but unless it does something for our love of Good and Truth, all our questions into the mysteries of your faith were in vain. Without love, we still know nothing-we are nothing.

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