Spiritual Obesity

There are two serious conditions that plague the Church. If left untreated, they both can be terminal.

The first condition is spiritual anorexia. It is a condition, much like the church in Laodicea suffered (Revelation 3:17), where one thinks their spiritual condition is far fuller than a mirror would objectively suggest. It is the condition where one thinks they are right with God despite them never thinking about God. It is the condition where one thinks they have feasted despite neglecting the delicacies found in fellowship. It is the condition that has left many feeling gorged despite them never even nibbling on the Word of God. It is an utter neglect of the spiritual disciplines.

Much of the church in America suffers from this first condition. Bible reading and church attendance statistics paint a generally grim picture. If that describes you, stop reading this article and bulk up. Grab your Bible and start reading. Start a Bible reading plan. Join and attend a solid church that loves and submits to Jesus. Fill your mind with sermons, music, and podcasts that draw you closer in submission to Jesus.

The second condition is spiritual obesity. Spiritual obesity much like spiritual anorexia shows its symptoms in the gut but is caused by a mind in rebellion to God's commands. The spiritually obese person is a connoisseur of theological delicacies. He attends a church with immaculately orthodox teaching. He gorges on the rich sermons, songs of praise, and fellowship. Yet, despite all his intake of calories, he has a movement problem.

The spiritually obese person detests that one tiny word spoken by Jesus in Matthew 28:19: "Go". The spiritually obese person will tell you they are not saved by their works and correct they are. But where they will begin to protest is upon learning that they are saved for something: good works. Read Ephesians 2:8-10 carefully:

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

By grace, for good works. Now my suggestion to the spiritually obese person is not necessarily that they reduce their caloric intake. The marathon runner needs every last calorie he can get if he's to complete the race. It's when you're not running a marathon--maybe not even running to the restaurant (thank you DoorDash)--that things start to become a problem.

We are to be the hands and feet of Jesus. We are to proclaim the truth loudly, unapologetically, in places where people can hear it. We are to sacrifice. We are to have children. We are to raise them in fear of the Lord. We are to be generous. We are to be engaged with culture. We are to be effective in politics.

There is much work to be done but many dudes are plopped on their couches (Matthew 9:37). Don't throw out your orthodoxy but pick up orthopraxy. Live out the Faith without apathy. Work out what God has worked into your life (Philippians 2:12) and long to hear the words of Jesus say, "Well done, good and faithful servant.".