Dear Ones:
Jesus would very often in His teaching, not only draw a distinction between two things, but in doing so, reveal the deep contrast between them. For example, He would tell Nicodemus: “…That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (Jn.3:6) Paul would use the same method to emphasis the difference between two issues, or matters, but also unveil the absolute opposing nature of the two. And when it comes to matters “of the Spirit,” there is no greater contrast with those things which are of this world, and which are not.
Paul, in addressing the Corinthians, wrote the following concerning “wisdom:” “…We speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet NOT the wisdom of the world, nor of the princes of the world, that come to nought (nothing)…but we speak a wisdom of God in a mystery, which God ordained before the world unto our glory.” (1 Cor. 2:7) He goes on to say that none of the princes of this world knew the truth of this “mystery,”…otherwise they would not have crucified the “Lord of glory.” Now, what does he mean by this? Simply, there is an enormous, opposing difference between the “wisdom of the world,” and the wisdom of God.
He makes another statement that should motivate us to seek the Lord even more than we do: “…the things of God knoweth NO man, but the Spirit of God.” (v.11) As in the case with Nicodemus, we are faced with that which is impossible with men, not only to know, but also to experience. Without the Spirit of God, and His ministry to us, we are “flying blind.,” we cannot see, nor understand. But wonder of wonders, with respect to these “things of God, ” “…God hath revealed them to us by His Spirit.” (specifically this refers to those things which God has prepared for the believer…). However, the ministry of the Spirit is presently active, in that, “…we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might KNOW the things that are freely given to us of God.” (v. 12) Question: What does God desire to reveal to us of Himself, and those things which are of Him? Is not to be spiritually minded simply to be at the feet of Jesus, being taught by the same Spirit that anointed and filled Him, that we might KNOW the things of God. The apostle Paul sums the matter up in declaring that “…we speak (things), not in words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Spirit teacheth, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” (v. 13)
In considering this matter, let us always remember that, in our consideration of the a life lived, walking by the Spirit, that TRUTH is the great guide. Paul told the Corinthians, “…I will pray with the Spirit, and I will pray with the understanding.” (1 Cor. 14:15) Here is a balanced man, utterly dependent upon the Spirit of God, who has taken Him to BE his teacher, but at the same time, is using every faculty to know the truth, as it is in Jesus. The ministry of the Spirit is always in conjunction with, and in perfect conformity with the objective truth of the word of God. The question then becomes: How much am I willing and desirous to learn from Christ by the Spirit? I dare to say, we have a very small idea of what He desires to reveal to us of Himself, His ways, and purpose. So, let us take the Spirit of God as our teacher, to lead us into all truth. Then shall we follow on to know, not just about the Lord, but to KNOW His life, power and purpose.
Love, Dad