It Can get Better

I Corinthians 2:9-16

Have you ever said, I can’t imagine it getting much better than this, whatever the this is; a mountain range, a wonderful sunset on the beach, or just sitting with your bride enjoying her presence on the back porch with a cup of coffee.  Well, our Father has some great news: “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” That is exhilarating, in that the Father is saying you thought Switzerland was something, or Alaska, or New Zealand, you have no clue what I’ve prepared for those who love me.

The wonderful news is Paul who seems long winded at times, does not stop with the above statement, after the  “— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but he himself is to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”

The Spirit searches everything; even the depths of God and Paul gives us a dichotomy, of two people one who the Spirit lives in and one without the Spirit of God.  But we have much to learn before going there; often people who go by the title of Christian are some of the most judgmental people, I know this to be true for I’ve battled with being judgmental for years, yes, I’m better but not well.  I’m hoping to put this verse to memory; “For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him?”  I’ve come to this understanding; who am I to judge the thoughts of another follower of Christ?  First, I need to remove the log in my own eye before trying to remove the speck in my brother’s eye.

So because we have the Spirit of God living in us, should we not desire to share them with our brothers and sisters who are spiritual?  Paul is not saying if you sign up for 47 Bible studies you will earn the mind of Christ, it is clear that one who has entered into a personal relationship with Christ has the mind of Christ.  But it is also clear one who studies, no matter the subject, becomes more versed in that subject; “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”  (2 Timothy 2:15)

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice