Journeeman.

Having served in various streams of the Christian church in New Zealand, I’ve come to believe that building a personal relationship with God is a universal experience, regardless of where one finds oneself in Christ.

John 4:21-26 powerfully addresses this issue:

Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”

The Samaritans and Jews both claimed to have the true site for worshipping God, one in Samaria and the other in Jerusalem, where the temple housed the Holy of Holies. Their claims to legitimacy were rooted in their history and traditions.

Today, we often hear Christians claiming God’s presence is stronger in one place or experience than another, elevating certain gifts or experiences as proof. However, this thinking often reflects the ego of Christians rather than the true, universally available presence of God’s grace and the Holy Spirit.

I urge you to set aside these temporal, experiential, and tribal ways of thinking. God looks beyond these definitions, seeking a heart devoted to Him, to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and to the promises found in Christ.

So how do you navigate between a Spirit-filled existence and a traditional Baptist one? I suggest the way forward is not to focus on where you are, but who you are “in.” To navigate these differences, consider the following:

• Focus on the core tenets of Christian faith that both traditions share: Ground yourself in the foundational beliefs that unite all Christians, such as the love of God, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and the importance of scripture.
• Seek out mentors or spiritual guides who understand both perspectives: Find individuals who have experience in both Baptist and Spirit-filled traditions and can offer guidance and support.
• Engage in respectful dialogue with people from both traditions: Have open and honest conversations with people from different backgrounds to learn from their perspectives and build understanding.
• Explore resources that delve into the life in Christ: Dig into books and other resources that explore the deeper meaning of living in Christ and the transformative power of faith. Many insightful authors can offer valuable perspectives.

God is spirit, unbound by location. He is loving and gracious, not limited by our experiences. As the Incarnate One through Jesus Christ, He entered our fallen world, transcending our limited categories of thought and community.

The Spirit of God is like the wind: we see its effects but cannot trace its origin or destination. A sincere Christian carries the Spirit of Christ within, for they are in Christ. Therefore, love the Lord your God with all your being, be sensitive to His presence, and walk humbly, knowing God is relational and works with all His children. Grow your spiritual life as a genuine expression of your love and loyalty to Jesus Christ.

There is great strength in embracing the good from all Christian traditions, while also discerning, carefully mediating, and then releasing what is no longer valuable or theologically sound within any denomination. There is also strength in knowing that you will grow and develop through various phases of the Christian life, and so learn more, being drawn deeper into thoughts and teachings that will move you even from where you are today – we are also sojourners in Christ in our understanding of Him and His teachings.