A Call to True Spirituality By Major Frank Materu
Key Scripture
"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you" (Isaiah 60:1, NIV).
Introduction
In a world where religious practices often overshadow genuine spirituality, it is imperative for believers to examine their hearts and their walk with God. Are we living under the weight of religious traditions, or are we walking in the liberating light of Christ?
This teaching aims to remind us that God calls His children to live in His light, not in the shadow of religious pretenses. As it is written:
"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light" (Ephesians 5:8, NKJV).
Living in the Light
"If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7, NKJV).
God’s desire for us is to live in His light, allowing it to penetrate every area of our lives. Living in the light requires us to remove the blanket of pretense and expose ourselves to His truth. His light brings life, healing, and direction. To walk in this light, we must surrender fully to Him, acknowledging that apart from His light, there is no true life.
False Security in Religion
"Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven" (Matthew 7:21, NKJV).
Religion can become a dangerous trap when it focuses on outward appearances rather than inward transformation. God warns us against relying on man-made religious systems or structures as our source of security. True spirituality is not found in rituals, ornate buildings, or traditions, but in a living relationship with God.
God knows who we truly are, where we live, and the burdens we carry. He calls us to come to Him with honesty, so He may lift our burdens and purify our hearts.
The Futility of Religious Pretenses
"God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24, NKJV).
Religious acts without a genuine connection to God are like sacrifices offered in vain—they are neither pleasing nor acceptable to Him. Just as a counterfeit sacrifice produces a stench in God’s nostrils, so does superficial religiosity. True worship flows from the Spirit and aligns with God’s will.
The Call to True Spiritual Hunger
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6, NKJV).
God longs for people who are spiritually hungry—those who seek Him above all else. He can meet us anywhere: under a tree, in a room, or wherever His Spirit resides.
He is not confined by walls, systems, or human traditions. Our greatest desire should be to encounter Him, not to impress others with our religious performance.
Rejecting the Physical for the Spiritual
"The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing" (John 6:63, NKJV).
In religion, the physical often tries to mimic the spiritual, but God sees through every pretense. He accepts only what is genuine. True spiritual life comes from living by the Spirit and not by the flesh.
The world’s systems may prioritize outward appearances and comfort, but God asks us to prioritize His Spirit and truth.
Rise and Shine: A Call to Action
"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you" (Isaiah 60:1, NIV).
In these days, God is raising up a remnant—those who seek Him with humble and sincere hearts. He is pouring out His Spirit on those who are open and willing to receive it.
This is not a time to seek the approval of worldly systems or to dwell in darkness but to walk boldly in the light of God’s truth.
The church must reject the compromises of the world and focus on shining God’s light in a dark world. As we walk in His light, we will see more clearly the deceptions of the enemy and stand firm against them.
Conclusion
Living in God’s light requires courage, humility, and a commitment to truth. It is not a call to religious acts but to a deep and genuine relationship with our Creator. God is calling His children to rise above the superficiality of religion and embrace the reality of His Spirit.
As Jesus Himself declared:
"I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life" (John 8:12, NKJV).
Let us step into His light and live as children of God, reflecting His glory and truth in a world desperate for hope and transformation.
