What does it mean to have spiritual life?
Having spiritual life means having a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. When someone becomes a Christian, they are “born again” spiritually and receive eternal life (John 3:3-7). This happens when we place our faith in Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross to pay for our sins (Ephesians 2:8-9). Through this new spiritual birth, we become children of God and are indwelt with the Holy Spirit (John 1:12-13; Romans 8:9-11).
The Bible describes natural human existence without Christ as being “dead in transgressions and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). We are alive physically but spiritually dead and separated from God by our sin. When we trust in Jesus, we pass from spiritual death into spiritual life. We go from being enemies of God to adopted into His family as His beloved children (Romans 5:10; Romans 8:15-17).
Having spiritual life affects every aspect of who we are. Here are some key ways the Bible describes what it means to have spiritual life:
1. We have a new identity in Christ.
When we are spiritually reborn in Christ, we become a new creation. Our core identity is now found in Jesus rather than our flesh, this world, or anything else (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are citizens of heaven rather than only citizens of earth (Philippians 3:20). We shift from identifying with Adam in his sinfulness to identifying with Jesus in His righteousness (Romans 5:12-21). Everything is made new.
2. We have a personal relationship with God.
Through Christ, we can know God intimately, not just know about Him. We have direct access to come before His throne in prayer (Hebrews 4:16). We experience His presence with us through the Holy Spirit who dwells in our hearts (John 14:15-17). We are connected to the Vine who is Jesus, abiding in His love (John 15:5). Our lives revolve around walking with God each day.
3. We bear spiritual fruit.
With the Holy Spirit living inside us, He begins producing His fruit in our lives – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). We have supernatural power to exemplify Christlike character and obedience to God’s commands that we did not have before. Good works naturally flow from our new natures (Ephesians 2:10).
4. We have victory over sin.
Before knowing Christ, we were enslaved to our sinful nature. But now sin no longer has dominion over us (Romans 6:14). The Spirit empowers us to put sinful deeds to death (Romans 8:13). When we do sin, we can receive forgiveness and cleansing through confessing it (1 John 1:9). We now have power through the Spirit to walk in obedience to God.
5. We relate to others differently.
In Christ, we are all part of one body and called to build each other up out of love (1 Corinthians 12:12-27; 1 Thessalonians 5:11). Loving others is a primary mark of following Jesus. We forgive others as Christ forgave us (Ephesians 4:32). We treat everyone with dignity as people made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). Jesus Christ living His life through us changes how we interact with others.
6. We have new desires.
The Holy Spirit gives us new longings to please God, know Him more, obey His Word, serve His purposes and share the gospel. Our affections are spiritually reoriented around the things of God rather than sin (Colossians 3:1-4). We want to use our gifts to serve the church and advance God’s eternal kingdom. Eternity and heavenly rewards now motivate us rather than only present, worldly goals.
7. We have assurance of heaven.
Spiritual life means we can have assurance of going to heaven when we die rather than an eternity separated from God in hell (1 John 5:13). We can face death with hope knowing the Holy Spirit guarantees our inheritance in heaven (Ephesians 1:13-14). Our eternal destiny is secure in Christ. We can persevere confidently knowing our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20).
8. We progressively become more Christlike.
From the time we are born again, there is a lifelong process of becoming more like Jesus. The Bible calls this sanctification. Through obediently abiding in Christ and being filled with the Holy Spirit, we increasingly live out Christlike character in how we think, speak, act and relate to God and others (Romans 8:29; Philippians 1:6). We are a new creation in progress.
9. We have a mission and purpose.
We are called to fulfill the Great Commission by sharing the gospel so more people can receive salvation and spiritual life in Christ (Matthew 28:19-20). God has good works planned for each of us to walk in (Ephesians 2:10). We use our spiritual gifts to build up the church and serve the world with Christ’s love. Our lives are now lived for the supreme purpose of glorifying God.
10. We have access to God’s power.
Christ’s resurrection power dwells within us to overcome sin, walk in holiness, endure suffering faithfully, engage in spiritual warfare and serve God effectively (Ephesians 1:19-20; 2 Timothy 1:7). God equips and empowers us with spiritual gifts for ministry (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). We now have supernatural power to live the Christian life because God lives in us.
In summary, having spiritual life completely changes who we are at the core. Being made spiritually alive in Christ revolutionizes our identity, desires, thoughts, behaviors, relationships, mission and power source for living. Knowing Jesus is not just an add-on to our old lives. He makes us into new creations from the inside out. God pours His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit and transforms us to reflect Christ to the world around us (Romans 5:5). This spiritual life in relationship with Him continues into eternity.