03/11/Th – Spiritual Wisdom

NT: “We do, however, speak a wisdom among the mature, but not a wisdom of this age, or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. On the contrary, we speak God’s hidden wisdom in a mystery, a wisdom God predestined before the ages for our glory… Now God has revealed these things to us by the Spirit, since the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except his spirit within him? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who comes from God, so that we may understand what has been freely given to us by God. We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people. But the person without the Spirit does not receive what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated spiritually. The spiritual person, however, can evaluate everything, and yet he himself cannot be evaluated by anyone. For who has known the Lord’s mind, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” (‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭2:6-7, 10-16‬ ‭CSB)

While the gospel message is simple, the actual plan of redemption that was formulated in the mind of God is far beyond the natural mind’s ability to comprehend. Not even the spiritual powers of darkness fully comprehended God’s plan of redemption, otherwise they wouldn’t have tried so hard to end Jesus’ life. Though Paul instructed us to deliver the gospel message of Christ and Him crucified without brilliance of speech or wisdom, there is a wisdom available to those who share the gospel if they endeavor to study the word of God, be taught by the Holy Spirit, and grow in maturity. That wisdom enables us to see the mysteries of God revealed, and understand what only the mind of God can understand. It is important for us who have been redeemed by God to understand the majesty and perfection of His plan, lest the gospel become something simple, valueless, and inexplainable in our minds. The more I learn about God, the more I love and treasure, and am amazed by the gospel of the Kingdom of God.

The only way that we can understand God’s love, mercy, grace, justice, righteousness and His plan to redeem mankind through Jesus Christ His Son is by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Jesus said that when He went to the Father, He would send us the Holy Spirit, who would remind us of the things that Jesus taught, teach us new things that Jesus wasn’t able to teach us, and lead us into all truth. The Holy Spirit fully understands the mind of God, for the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God. There is no way for anyone to understand the mysteries of God, nor how God is able to completely redeem someone, outside of the Holy Spirit. That is one reason why people in the world will never fully understand the life of a redeemed and faithful follower of Jesus. The life of a true believer and disciple of Christ should confound the minds of those who are in the world. But we who are in Christ, should be able to see and understand things from God’s perspective, because by the Holy Spirit within us, we have the mind of Christ.

Psalms: “Blessed be the Lord, for he has heard the sound of my pleading. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart celebrates, and I give thanks to him with my song. The Lord is the strength of his people; he is a stronghold of salvation for his anointed. Save your people, bless your possession, shepherd them, and carry them forever.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭28:6-9‬ ‭CSB)

The source of David’s strength was the Lord… and therefore the source of Israel’s strength was the Lord. David was able to shepherd his nation with strength and wisdom as the Lord strengthened him, shepherded him, and gave him wisdom from above. For us who are in Christ, we have the ever-present Holy Spirit who leads us, strengthens us, and gives us wisdom from the Lord. Unlike David who was limited in his access to the Lord, we have the Holy Spirit with us always as we are continually filled with His presence.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you, that you loved me and all of humanity so much that you constructed a plan of redemption that was so beyond anyone’s comprehension that it could not be thwarted – yet could be communicated in such a simple way that the simplest of persons could hear it’s message, believe it and be saved. I also thank You, that You don’t leave me in the dark to believe an in-understandable mystery, but share Your mind and wisdom with me through the gift of Your Holy Spirit. Lord, help me, as I endeavor each day to be freshly filled with Your Holy Spirit and grow deeper and deeper in maturity as I learn more and more about You.