Application of Spirituality in Daily Life

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Application of Spirituality in Daily Life

The Bible has been a reliable document for organizing society due to its rich moral content and religious authority. As a book of reference for a majority of the world population, it is a powerful symbol of God’s intentions for man and the lifestyle He envisions for him. Therefore, it is comparable to The Rule of St. Benedict because the latter was also used in the reformation of people during the Middle Ages. The Bible contains some sections that would cause problems for modern society such as the use of alcohol. As the debate whether the difference in its interpretation is spiritual or cultural, alcoholism is a controversial issue that puzzles liberals and conservatives alike. In particular, some people claim that the moderate consumption of alcohol is not prohibited while others view it as a sin. It is, therefore, a source of conflict among believers due to the confusion generated by Jesus’ making of wine. Similarly, the constant reference to avoiding adultery especially in the Old Testament evokes strong passions from people who believe that its implementation is not applicable to today’s standards. By specifying that an individual can be held liable of committing adultery of the heart through having sexual thoughts about another, it sets the threshold high yet the current society has embraced some form of nudity. The present styles of dressing are more revealing than the previous centuries hence inconceivable how this directive would be implemented. Therefore, it would have been easier for the order to be limited to physical contact alone as that would have made its enforcement practical. As currently constituted, it would face opposition from liberal groups who view the ongoing Cultural Revolution as a natural phenomenon and one that the church has to embrace as well in order to remain relevant to today’s inhabitants.

In chapter three of The Rule, the subject of obedience is explored. In it, the author identifies the need to obey God as rooted in His promise of rewarding faithful followers with a place in Heaven while punishing sinners by placing them in hell. Moreover, the text clearly instructs people to obey their superiors, as that would help to maintain order in the society. By so doing, it would be easier for individuals to respect authority. Similarly, Luke Chapter 10 dwells on the need to obey the commands of Earthly superiors as one would the rules in the Bible. Consequently, it also links the significance of such commitment to existing chain-of-command structures to the devotion in the Lord based on the instructions in the Bible. As such, they both encourage people to be observant to the laws of the land as that would be a reflection of their divine commitments as well. However, The Rule asserts that regardless of the outcome, any disgruntlement would nullify a person’s qualification for a reward. In particular, it states that any psychological hesitation is enough to condemn an individual to God’s wrath. According to the literature, even slight dithering on his/her part can override the performance of the action. Whereas such a notion is harsh, the Bible insists that any request for forgiveness would be considered irrespective of the time taken for it to be made. Therefore, it does not insist on an immediate apology but offers someone the leeway to realize his/her mistake and strive to get right with God. In this perception, the patience of the Lord is evident.

Likewise, chapter 36 of The Rule provides guidelines to be followed when attending to sick patients. It expresses the urgency of tending to people with ailments and insinuates that helping the needy in the community is everyone’s responsibility. In fact, the text requires a communal response to the underprivileged by providing them with items to alleviate their suffering. Moreover, it is equivocal that healthy and able-bodied members of the society need to watch over them in order to spot any complications and take vital corrective actions. The Bible has an extensive reference to the need for healthy citizens to cater to the plight of the sick as well. In fact, in Mathew chapter 25, Jesus confesses that any help rendered to the less fortunate is similar to people aiding Him. By saying so, the scripture instill values of offering assistance within the community and tasks individuals with being guardians of one another. Therefore, it also mandates them not to ignore any person in distress especially when one has the means to make a difference in their lives. By acknowledging the presence of inequality, it hopes to inspire individuals to avoid living selfish lives. Nevertheless,   The Rule singles out the potential of stubbornness from the sick by stating that they should not make unnecessary demands. In contrast, Mathew chapter 25 does not include such contradictory statements since it only authorizes the treatment of the sick. It is a bit puzzling for The Rule to advocate for the treatment of the sick while attempting to limit the extent of such involvement. It should allow them to receive the care they need since various ailments require different cures. Additionally, people’s personalities and problems are never similar hence need to be handled differently for the treatment to be effective.

Furthermore, chapter 28 of The Rule details the routine to be followed when correcting the sins of a non-believer. It intones that a person needs to be reminded of the requirements of his/her faith, which entail strict adherence to the ways of salvation. Moreover, it asserts that harsher actions should be taken against such an individual if he/she does not reform. For example, excommunication is proposed as a possible route to follow in order to avoid the contamination of other believers. It is hoped that such a decree would rid the community off evil and help to maintain holiness. 1 Corinthians chapter 5 makes similar assertions too. It directs people to expel the evil characters from their midst regardless of their position or affiliation. It is thus clear that the Bible envisages moments when individuals would have to make intentional decisions of denouncing evil among themselves by making some people outcasts. It is believed that such actions would act as a deterrence of unfaithful behavior thereby facilitating the continuity of spiritualism. However, The Rule further orders people to kill any person who is a serial offender. By making such a bold statement, this text does not conform to the directives of the Bible, which abhor the killing of any person by another. Therefore, The Rule offers an extreme version of punishment to be meted out in case of violation of spiritual as well as administrative laws.