To the Editor:

Under the title “Spirituality is personal” (www.crestonvalleyadvance.ca/article/20100121/CRESTON0303/301219985/spirituality-should-be-personal ), Mary Underhill writes, “I have always felt that religion is … personal also.” She gives the impression that people should keep their religion to themselves.

But Christians are informed by Jesus' statements in the Bible that we are to love God and love our neighbour also. Part of loving our neighbour is to inform them of His love for us and the necessity of having a relationship with God. It is not enough to just believe that He exists; everyone needs to know Him intimately. Jesus stated, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me you evildoers!’ ” (Matthew 7:21–23)

The Bible states that God took on flesh as the man Jesus, and to prove His great love for us He willingly died on the cross to pay for our sins. He then rose from the dead promising to show Himself to all those who follow Him. Jesus stated, “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” (John 14:21)

Intimacy with God is only personal in the sense that no man should interpose himself between another man and God, neither popes nor priests nor prophets — they are all impostors. The Bible states, “There is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1Timothy 2:5)

The meaning of the word prayer found in the Bible is neither a ritual nor a chant nor repetition of words nor formalism of any kind; it is simply speaking to God. Anyone can personally ask Jesus to come into their heart. It is the beginning of a great and wonderful relationship, one that gives joy, peace and love. Jesus, who is our best friend, is waiting with open arms and has promised us an abundant life.

Through the Bible, God instructs Christians to go and tell others about God's love for them. And, after Jesus reveals Himself, a Christian is compelled by God's love in his or her heart to tell others of Christ's love for man. The truth about God is not something that one keeps to themselves; it is love for your fellow man that drives a Christian to spread the good news of God's love.

The Bible states that God is both spirit and love. Love is sharing. True spirituality is sharing love — God's love. For a Christian not to tell others would show little love.

Jim Chapman

Creston