The Spiritual Man

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A Believer’s Will
A Man’s Will is his organ for decision-making. To
want or not to want, to choose or not to choose are the
typical operations of the will. It is his “helm” by which
he sails upon the sea of life.
The will of a man can be taken as his real self, for it truthfully
represents him. Its action is the action of the man. When we declare
“I will,” it is actually our volition which wills. When we say “I want,
I decide,” again it is our volition which wants and decides. Our
volition acts for the entire man. Our emotion merely expresses how
we feel; our mind simply tells us what we think; but our will
communicates what we want. Hence, it is the most influential
component of our entire person. It is deeper than emotion and mind.
So in seeking spiritual growth the believer must not neglect the
volitional element in him.
Many commit the error of treating “religion” as a matter of
emotion; they believe that it merely soothes and gladdens men’s
emotions. Others insist that “religion” ought to be compatible with
reason and not overly emotional; only a kind of rational religion is
acceptable to these. What both these groups do not know is that true
religion per se does not aim at emotion or reason but aims to impart
life to man’s spirit and to lead his will to be completely yielded to
God’s will. Unless our “religious” experience produces in us a
willing acceptance of the whole counsel of God, it is very superficial.
What can it profit a man if along his spiritual pathway the will
exhibits no proper sign of grace? Or if the will is not touched?
True and perfect salvation saves man’s will. Whatever is not
sufficiently thorough to embrace the salvation of man’s volition is
but vanity. All pleasant feelings and all lucid thoughts belong
exclusively to the external realm. Man may experience joy, comfort