Christ came to raise the standard of humanity
This lecture affirms that the essence of Christ’s message is to move humanity from a life of the body and materialism to a life of the spirit, where the spirit leads the body in complete harmony without conflict, and the human being becomes one in God.
First: The Human Being Between Body and Spirit
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that man was created as a body from the dust and a breath of life from God, thus becoming a spiritual being, not merely a body. With spiritual maturity, there is no longer a struggle between body and spirit, but rather the submission of the body to the spirit, and the submission of the spirit to the Spirit of God.
Second: Life in the Spirit
Spiritual life is not outward formalities or rituals, but a constant inner way of life, whose fruits appear in prayer, fasting, speech, behavior, and even in facing problems through a spiritual approach that flows from inner strength.
Third: Inner Strength and Victory
The spiritual person does not flee from the temptations of the world, but overcomes them through the strength of the spirit. Weakness is not in external pressures, but within. Whoever overcomes himself is able to overcome everything.
Fourth: True Worship
True worship is in spirit and truth. True prayer is a living connection with God, beginning in the heart and sometimes without spoken words, yet it is heard and accepted by God, the Examiner of hearts.
Fifth: Fasting in the Spirit
True fasting is the fasting of both body and soul: fasting from food, from lusts, from evil thoughts, and from corrupt words, so that the whole person may be consecrated to God.
Sixth: Nourishment of the Spirit and Spiritual Growth
Just as the body needs food, the spirit needs the Word of God, prayer, praise, and divine love. Without this nourishment the spirit weakens, but with continual nourishment it grows, flourishes, and moves toward relative perfection.
Conclusion
Christ calls us to a life in the Spirit—a life of holiness and continuous growth—where a person is united with God and thus lives the true life, a spiritual life that accompanies him into eternity
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