Understanding Spiritual Trading: How to Engage in Divine Exchange
Explore the concept of spiritual trading, a dynamic exchange with God rooted in love and divine principles.
Have you ever thought about your relationship with God as a dynamic exchange? This blog post will explore the concept of spiritual trading, drawing on biblical principles and teachings to help you understand how to engage with God in a way that unlocks His blessings. We will delve into the idea of spiritual trading, its biblical basis, and how to apply these principles daily.
What is Spiritual Trading?
Spiritual trading is a concept that describes the reciprocal exchange between individuals and God, which is rooted in love and guided by spiritual principles. The gospel is expressed in various ways, such as legal terms, sports, marriage, and construction. Understanding these different facets helps us to appreciate the multifaceted nature of our relationship with God.
The issue with a one-sided view of the gospel is that our limited perspective restricts what we can receive. For example, what we gain from God through a relationship as a son may differ from what we receive through a relationship as a servant, co-heir, or even friend. God is too vast for us to rely on just one aspect of our relationship with Him. He is our Father, our Lord, and our Creator. Each of these relationships offers distinct virtues for us to discover.
While many may not see the gospel through trade, it is significant. The Bible contains examples of men doing business with God
Biblical Basis for Spiritual Trading
The Bible provides several examples of spiritual trading, showing that this concept is not new but, rather, is foundational to our relationship with God:
God's Ultimate Trade (John 3:16): "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." This is the foundational example of a trade where God gave His Son for the salvation of humanity.
Disciples' Sacrifices (Luke 18:28-30): Peter and the disciples left everything to follow Jesus, and in response, Jesus acknowledged their sacrifice by promising them a reward. He stated, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children for the sake of the kingdom of God who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come, eternal life.” When Peter asked about the benefits of leaving everything to follow Jesus, He was not upset; instead, He assured Peter that they would be rewarded both on earth and in heaven. What a trade!
Parable of the Talents (Luke 19:15): The parable of the talents highlights that God expects us to use what He gives us and that He will want to know what we have gained by trading. "And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading."
The Spiritual Realm as a Marketplace
A bustling market within the spirit realm exists where trades are made frequently. Both good and evil are spread in this marketplace through the trade mechanism. The spirit finds a trading partner to gain territory on earth. If the Spirit of God finds Christians ready to trade, He will capture and change our neighborhood. As Christians, we must recognize the reality of spiritual commerce in the spiritual realm and trust God to follow His established rules.
Let me clarify: God made salvation freely available to humanity. We did nothing to deserve Christ’s sacrifice for us. He showed His love by dying for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). Salvation and its other virtues are free; however, we must respond in faith to access them. In other words, salvation has been made available to all, but not everyone has received salvation. Faith is the price we pay to receive what grace offers, and faith requires hard work.
Trading is localized in the appropriation of blessings. Conditions are associated with receiving what has been freely given to us by grace. These conditions establish an economy of trade. For example, we have been made rich by the finished work of Christ, but to receive this richness, one must give. The rules are clear: to receive, we must provide, which is the essence of trade.
The Importance of Principles and Love
While love serves as the foundational motivation for our actions, it is essential to uphold spiritual principles. Our love for God does not negate the need to adhere to these spiritual rules and principles. In fact, according to scripture, true love is validated by obedience to God's commandments (John 14:15). When we focus solely on emotional expressions of love, we risk losing in the spiritual arena.
Love as Motivation: Our primary motivation in our relationship with God should be love. As Jesus asked Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” and then instructed him to “Feed My lambs,” this shows that love should be our driving force (John 21:15-17).
Spiritual Laws and Principles: Love motivates us to take steps, but spiritual laws and principles must guide those steps. The love of God does not make us haphazard in our response; there are preordained paths (Ephesians 2:10).
No Freebies: Nothing is given without sacrifice in the spiritual realm. While God's blessings are freely offered, they cannot be possessed without paying a price.
Trade is for Profit: Trade exists primarily for the purpose of profit. The Gospel should benefit us because it was intended for our gain, as stated in Hebrews 4:2. However, this benefit does not come to fruition unless we actively engage with it. We love the Lord, but we also trust His word. He promised that if we do something, He will respond in kind.
Conclusion: Engaging in Spiritual Trade
Spiritual trading is a vital part of our relationship with God. It is a biblically based concept, and we are called to engage in it. By understanding this principle, we can intentionally interact with God, aligning with His divine laws and experiencing the rewards He has promised. Let love be your foundation, but engage in the spiritual marketplace with wisdom, faith, and a heart ready to trade with God.