Spiritual Mastery and the Crucified Mindful Christian Life

When I consider living a meaningful and purposeful life that is mindful, crucified, and based on the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ – I think of the many different trades and craftsmanship disciplines one may undertake. The basis for each trade is to focus on gaining insight, understanding, and knowledge so that they may apply it to their specific craft. A master electrician had to begin his trade as an apprentice. A doctor needs to gain knowledge and expertise by completing a residency program where they apply medical science to their trade. A welder, an owner of a microbrewery and distillery. Many others required devoted time, effort, and ability to not only gain the necessary knowledge – to be able to go forth and apply those knowledges and principles in their fields.

One’s journey through the New Testament is focused on building a sure foundation on Jesus Christ. An opportunity to invite the Holy Spirit to guide one into all truth and understanding. This includes the focus of increasing one’s faith in Jesus Christ as a way to live with meaning and purpose. Becoming a true disciple of the Savior and living an authentic crucified and mindful Christian life requires spiritual mastery of Christ’s doctrine and teaching. Therefore, the spiritual discipline of personal scripture study through the New Testament may assist in building one’s foundation on Jesus Christ. This comes when one devotes their time to learn His doctrine, come unto Him, and desires to become His disciple.

What is the Doctrine of Christ?

Understanding what the Doctrine of Christ is has an integral aspect to living a mindful crucified Christian life. And the doctrine of Christ is the set of teachings and instructions allowing a person to overcome sin and death. Furthermore, assists us in progressing to become as Jesus Christ and leads us to become perfect even as our Heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48 cf. Genesis 17:1; Lev. 11:44-45, 19:2, 20:26, 21:8; 2 Sam 22:22-24). ‘This declaration from our Savior (in Hebrew – tamim) means we are to be whole, sound, and healthful. It also includes the idea (from the Greek – teleios) of being complete. This does not equate to the idea one is to become flawless. On the contrary – it merely shows we are to avail ourselves into a discipleship and covenant relationship with Jesus Christ where one is dedicated to the spiritual truths and practices as taught and revealed by the Savior (See, Deuteronomy 18:9-13).

Therefore, living out a true mindful and crucified Christian life requires that we devote ourselves to the unfolding process of “coming unto Christ and receive His Gospel so that we may become blameless and complete. This is what is meant when we are willing to put to death ourselves and to take up our cross and bear it (Matthew 16:24-26). And there are key factors one will discover in their own personal study of the New Testament. They are:

• Entering into a covenant relationship with the Savior by offering up a sacrifice of a broken heart and contrite spirit
• Receiving baptism by immersion for the remission of sins
• Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit – or the baptism of the Holy Spirit/fire – in order to become adopted sons and daughters of God by taking upon themselves the name of Christ
• Receive one’s calling and election or becoming of the elect – chosen, redeemed, or saved and continue in faith as one endures to the end.

These key factors assist in a person making their calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10-11) by entering into the Lord’s rest and receiving the Second Comforter as a promise of Eternal Life – sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise.

The New and Everlasting Covenant

Becoming a true mindful and crucified Christian – a disciple of Christ – is the whole of what is called the New and Everlasting Covenant. This new covenant is extended to all people everywhere. It is an Oath of our Heavenly Father to save each one of us as we make an oath to do His will in all things. As we walk in faithful obedience to the teachings of the Savior, keep the commandments of God, remain humble, maintaining an eternal perspective, and growing in faith; we are offered those blessings inherent to salvation and eternal life.

All that is required of us is to experience a true spiritual awakening where we have a broken heart and contrite spirit. It is the only way for one to experience the infinite atonement in their lives. And it is not based on a one-time experience. Since one of the attributes of our Heavenly Father, as well as Jesus Christ, is that of an Everlasting One (Psalm 90:2) our personal salvation is integral to our own personal spiritual growth and maturation. It is how we are able to comprehend and apply those teachings of the Savior so that we are empowered to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12-23). It is also the means where we are also empowered to be perfected in Christ.

Two Key Outcomes toward a Mindful and Crucified Christian Life

As you commit to the spiritual discipline of reading and studying New Testament: one will discover two significant key outcomes leading to a more meaningful and purposeful mindful and crucified Christian lifestyle. First, it requires learning and applying those divine principles necessary for spiritual knowledge. And second, master key scripture passages and the doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ that they teach. The latter includes memorizing scriptures along the way. Both of these keys are necessary to unlocking our ability to build our faith on the sure foundation of Jesus Christ and His Gospel.

Learn and apply divine principles for acquiring spiritual knowledge

Our Heavenly Father has a deep love for each one of us. He has revealed principles for us to acquire spiritual knowledge. These include our moral agency to act on faith, examine concepts and questions with an eternal perspective in mind, and seek further understanding through divinely appointed sources. As we commit ourselves to true, meaningful, and purposeful discipleship we develop spiritual mastery through the application of those principles. In this way, we improve our personal life, develop a deep and enriching Christian character and integrity, strengthen our faith in Christ, and our Heavenly Father, as well as resolving conflict, addressing questions or concerns we may have, and assist in being effective ministers of the Gospel of Christ.

Spiritual Mastery, Knowledge, and Scripture Memorization

Another aspect in spiritual discipline, growth, and maturation means we develop spiritual mastery in our knowledge of the gospel principles by memorizing scriptures that reflect the teachings of Christ and His Gospel. This is accomplished when we:

• Develop an understanding and comprehension of the specific doctrine and gospel principle being taught
• Ability to explain the doctrines and principles of a scripture passage with clarity and confidence
• Ability to not only recall the specific doctrines and principles taught in scripture – to also have confidence in locating specific passages associated with such doctrines and principles of the Gospel
• Consistently apply those doctrines of the Gospel of Jesus Christ so that we are growing in knowledge and understanding to make better choices, respond to personal situations, address social issues and concerns, and even appreciate and understand historical issues and questions

Not only do these two keys unlock for us a way to increase in our knowledge and understanding of Jesus Christ, and our Heavenly Father. These keys are fundamental in how we become equipped in ministry and proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:11-16 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17). It is also how we transform ourselves by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1-2).

Final Thoughts and Take Aways

Growing in spiritual knowledge and understanding are the foundation toward building faith in Christ (our sure foundation), Ability to invite the Holy Spirit into our hearts and minds to bring about personal revelation, wisdom, counsel, and guidance so that we are able to gain greater insight into the teachings of Christ. And helps us increase in our faith in who Jesus Christ is and what his doctrines are. So that we are able to apply those teachings into our lives and become complete, whole, and blameless as fulfillment of the promises of Christ and our Heavenly Father. All being part of the New and Everlasting Covenant made through the infinite atonement of Jesus Christ.

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