20. The Spirit    200 and Christian   
Spirituality              

Christian life was formerly called, the way (Acts 9:2; 19:9; 16:17; 18:25; 2 P 2:2) and it was not based on special commands (Acts 15:18) to such an extent that Paul relates the demands of sexual morality to faith in Chirst and not to any particular law (1 Cor 6:1; 1 Thes 4:2). Christian of Jewish background spoke at times as if Jesus had confirmed the Law of the Old Testament (James 1:25; 2:12; 4:11), but usually they understood that the new law proclaimed by Jesus (com. on Mt 5:17) replaced the Law of the Old Testament (Mt 5:22; 5:28…). The only command of love (Mt 22:39) replaces the many precepts of the Law of Moses (Mt 22:40; Rom 13:8; Gal 5:14).

201

But we are also told that Christ freed us from all human law (and not only from the Judaic Law): Rom 7:4; Gal 4:5; Eph 2:15. We should understand, then, that in speaking of the Law of Christ, another meaning is given to the word law (Rom 2:27; 8:2). We do not place too much value on human effort to fulfill the law (Mk 10:21; 10:27; Gal 2:16; 3:5) but we must invite believers to allow themselves to be guided by the Spirit (Lk 10:33; Rom 8:14; Gal 5:16) who, alone, can transform the heart (Ezk 36:25; Rom 2:29) and make the fulfillment of the Law possible (Rom 8:4).

202

Entrance into the Church (see 192) makes us new creatures (2 Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15; Eph 4:24). Recreated in the Son (Eph 2:10); sons and daughters of the Father (Rom 8:15; Jn 1:13), the Spirit is already given to us in this life (Rom 12:11; Gal 4:6) as a foretaste of what definitive and holy life will be in heaven (Rom 8:11. 23; Eph 1:14). From now on we are in communion with the Three Divine Persons (Jn 14:17; 1 Jn 1:3; 3:21-24; 4:15).

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Christian life presupposes the constant cooperation of people with God who acts in each one through the spirit. We have died to sin (Rom 6:11) and we must die to the works of the “flesh” (Rom 8:13). We have been renewed and we must walk along new paths (Rom 7:6). We have been made just and holy (Rom 6:2; 1 Cor 6:11) and we must walk as saints (Rom 6:13; 19; Gal 5:25). We were liberated (Rom 6:14; 8:2) but we still have to liberate ourselves (1 Cor 7:15, 23). God’s love has been given to us (Rom 5:5; Jn 17:26) and we must persevere and grow in this love (Jn 15:9; 1 Cor 16:14; Phil 1:9; 1 Thes 3:12).

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The Christian’s new life is energized through participation in the Eucharist (Jn 6:48-58), through good works (James 2:14-28; Jn 3:18; 2 Thes 1:11; Tit 2:14; 3:8; Heb 10:24; 2 P 1:10) and through prayer (see 230). It is a source of happiness (Jn 16:24; Acts 13:52; Rom 14:17; 2 Cor 7:4; Gal 5:22; 1 Thes 1:6; 1 P 1:8), of freedom (Jn 8:32; 36; 2 Cor 3:17; Gal 5:1; 2 Tim 1:7; 1 P 2:16) of peace (2 Cor 13:4; Gal 5:22; Eph 6:23), and of thanksgiving (Rom 14:6; Eph 5:20; Col 3:17; 1 Thes 5:18).

With perseverance (Lk 8:15; 21:19; Rom 2:7; 5:3; Col 1:11; Heb 10:36; James 1:4), It produces a transformation of the whole being (Rom 12:2; 1 Thes 5:23), enabling one to relate to God as son (or daughter) (Rom 8:15-17; 1 Jn 4:17-18) and to be a living stone of the spiritual building (Eph 2:22; 1 P 2:5).

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Christian life manifests itself, above al, in three powers which we usually call theological virtues, which is to say, that they come from God and are oriented to Him: they are faith, hope and love (1 Cor 13:13; Gal 5:5-6; Eph 1:15-16; Col 1:4-5; 1 Thes 1:3; 5:8).