Recently, I heard a sermon that touched on the second law of thermodynamics. I now understand a scientific principle and have been reminded of an important spiritual one!
The second law of thermodynamics states that entropy (disorder) always increases with time. In a closed system—a system with no outside influence preventing deterioration—quality always worsens as the clock unwinds. In the same way, when our Christian lives become disengaged from actively seeking God, we’ll naturally descend into increasing spiritual chaos and decay.
The story of the Israelites provides a powerful example of this principle. The Israelites were regularly warned of the consequences of excluding God from their lives (Leviticus 26:14-46; Deuteronomy 28:15-68). They persisted in their rebellion, however, which ultimately led to spiritual decay and judgment through exile in Babylon (Deuteronomy 30:1). Only a genuine heart change and a commitment to reengage fully with God by “[turning] to the Lord [their] God with all [their] heart and soul” could restore their fortunes and enable them to live abundant lives (Deuteronomy 30:10, also Deuteronomy 30:2-6). When we retreat from fully following God, we gradually slip into spiritual decline; but when we live connected to Him, we stem the destructive slide and enjoy a grace-filled life (Deuteronomy 30:11-20).
In our fallen nature, we have a tendency to drift away from God. Our noisy world and busy schedules often drown out His warnings of spiritual drift and decay. But when we connect to the influence of the Holy Spirit (John 14:26), we’re able to steer clear of spiritual decay and keep growing in our walk with God. The Spirit provides what we need to continue to grow and mature in Jesus!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 8:22-56
More:
Read Hebrews 2:1-3 and be challenged to open your heart to the faith-sharpening influences that God has given us so that we may steer clear of spiritual drift.
Next:
What causes you to drift toward spiritual decay? What can you do to avoid drifting away from God?
Gary Shultz on July 12, 2017 at 6:06 am
Hi Ruth: We certainly do have that tendency to slide downward in our human nature. There is no stagnant place in life, we are either moving toward or away from God. It is a living experience, a relationship, and we can’t float, if we stop the journey toward God, we sink. I do like to think we have come to a different level of life with God, since the work of Christ on the cross. The cross tore the veil, and we have been shown through Christ a better way to obey. Although some experienced a relational love in the OT most were tied to obedience of the law, now we obey out of love. Okay, sometimes we must be reminded of obedience and duty, but we live by keep the relationship open to the tune of the Spirit. Of course all of this you know, but I like the step from listening to rules, to fulling God’s desire for us with our closeness to Him. We step away, slip, slide, drift, or whatever it is called, and we begin to sink, Peter teaches us a pointed, but brief lesson on that. Thanks Ruth
Ruth O'Reilly-Smith on July 12, 2017 at 2:47 pm
Hi Gary – I do like your reminder to us that if we’re not moving toward God, we are moving away from Him. If we are not intentionally pursuing a relationship with our Heavenly Father, we are moving away from Him. May we not harden our hearts to the ‘still, small voice’ of the Holy Spirit convicting us when we are in danger of drifting outside of the influence of a close relationship with our Lord and Saviour. Let’s live the surrendered life.
don777 on July 12, 2017 at 6:15 am
James 4:8 (NKJV) Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…
Like any relationship, there has to be an ongoing effort. God is always faithful to do His part, if we do our part. Notice in this verse it says for us to draw near Him first, then He is faithful to draw near to him. In a river if you stop paddling you will start drifting down stream.
John 15:5 (NLT) “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
Being saved is a command, We must be born again. But how close of a relationship we have with our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ is totally up to us. This will determine the quality of spiritual life we will have. i can have peace beyond all understanding in my spirit/soul in the middle of a storm or misery in my spirit/soul in a storm. It’s my choice. This was a choice i made before the storm. Seems we all get on our knees during a storm. But what about when it is still waters & green pastures? Relationship is a choice. +>i
Ruth O'Reilly-Smith on July 12, 2017 at 2:52 pm
Very true don777. Our public declaration of faith in and acceptance of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour is only the beginning of our faith journey. May we know the joy of a closeness with Christ in the midst of the moments of smooth sailing so that we will have a strong enough faith to endure and stand firm in the middle of the wildest of storms or the deepest of valleys. God bless you.
tccarr777 on July 12, 2017 at 8:21 am
Wonderful Ruth!
Joshua 1:8 (NKJV) This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Ruth O'Reilly-Smith on July 12, 2017 at 2:56 pm
A beautiful reminder tccarr777 – As we read God’s Word and allow the Holy Spirit to bring transformation into our lives through it, we will thrive and flourish in all that God has created us to be and what He has created us to do.
Tom Felten on July 12, 2017 at 8:46 am
Ruth, I appreciate your emphasis on the work on the Holy Spirit in our lives. Without the Spirit’s counsel and prodding, I would definitely spin off into spiritual darkness. Praise God that He has provided the One who “helps us in our weakness” (Romans 8:26).
Ruth O'Reilly-Smith on July 12, 2017 at 3:01 pm
Amen Tom. I can do nothing by my own might, or power – it’s only by the Holy Spirit that I can do all things – through Him who strengthens me. (Zechariah 4:6; Philippians 4:13).
lukithiaygeorge on July 12, 2017 at 1:46 pm
What causes you to drift toward spiritual decay?
The thing that most drives me to spiritual decay is filling my time up with so much of the worldly things and thoughts.
What can you do to avoid drifting away from God?
Continued prayer and study
Ruth O'Reilly-Smith on July 12, 2017 at 3:04 pm
I agree with you lukithiaygeorge. I pray that our Heavenly Father, through the power of the Holy Spirit, will remind us and help us to pray, study the Word of God and stay connected to the body of Christ – so that we will stay vibrant and alive – in Him and continue to fulfil his will and perfect purpose for our lives. God bless and keep you, provide for you and direct you today and always.
Monica Brands on July 12, 2017 at 3:27 pm
Thanks for this, Ruth, reminds me of something else I keep running into lately –the idea of engaging / “showing up” and being intentional in our relationships and callings instead of shifting into auto pilot. I’ve think sometimes we justify disengaging from complications in our lives as “contentment” instead of leaning into life’s challenges to draw closer to God, and so don’t even notice when we’re slipping away from the high calling we’ve been given. Thanks for this reminder.