Our Divine Teacher 1 Corinthians 2:9-16
One of the reasons that many people--including believers--don’t read the Bible is because they can’t understand it. We would expect that to be the case for those who don’t know Christ, but why do so many believers fail to comprehend the truths of Scripture? Maybe it’s because they haven’t asked for help from their divine Teacher. One of the Holy Spirit’s chief responsibilities is to enable Christians to understand the things of God.
When looking at believers who know more than we do, we’ll sometimes think, I will never be able to reach that level. The issue, however, isn’t how much knowledge you have right now, but whether you are growing in your understanding. The Spirit will teach you what you need to know, not necessarily what others know. Because He wants to make us godly people, He’ll give us enough truth each day to change our lives. He will interpret the meaning and give an application designed specifically for each person.
The Spirit’s goal is not to fill your mind with information but to bring you to a deeper level in your relationship with the Lord. He wants you to understand the truth so you will fall in love with Jesus. Then you’ll long to spend time in the Word, thereby getting to know Him even better.
But all these treasures of God’s Word could remain out of reach if you never ask the Teacher to unlock them. Each time you read your Bible, ask the Lord for understanding. A wonderfully intimate love relationship with Christ awaits those who let the Spirit reveal to them the thoughts of God.
Perfect Minded
“Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.” (Philippians 3:15-16)
Earlier, Paul had noted that he was not “already perfect” (Philippians 3:12), using a form of the Greek verb teleioo. In today’s verse, Paul uses the adjective form teleios. Although the root of the word is the same, this particular usage is significant.
In verse 12, the Holy Spirit inspires Paul to use the past perfect tense of teleioo, rendering the translation “not having been perfected” and thereby recognizing that the end product of God’s salvation has not yet been completed. The adjective form, teleios, denotes the sense of maturity, both in our text and the other 18 instances in the New Testament.
Those of the family of God who are “mature,” even if we might be “otherwise minded,” are to expect that our Lord Jesus will reveal “even this,” or the prize that we are to focus on in Philippians 3:14. The “one thing” of Philippians 3:13 is so important that we must “walk by the same rule” and “mind the same thing” (today’s verse).
The Greek word for “walk” is only used four other times in the New Testament, and it describes marching in a row and following a prescribed order. We are to “walk in the steps” that Abraham exemplified (Romans 4:12), just as we are to “also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25).
Finally, we are exhorted to “mind” the same thing. Our thought processes are to be focused on that one thing that is most important—seeking the kingdom first. May these clear commands find their way into our hearts. HMM III
Our Incomparable Companion
John 14:16-18
Most of us don�t like being alone for extended periods of time. In fact, we are not designed to live in isolation. Even at the very beginning, God said, �It is not good for the man to be alone� (Gen. 2:18). But sometimes situations in life leave us separated from others. Or perhaps we simply feel lonely, even though we live with our mate or family. But whatever your situation may be, if you are a believer, you�re never alone.
Knowing His followers could feel abandoned after His crucifixion and ascension, Jesus promised to send them a Helper who would never leave them--the Spirit of truth. The same One who came to them at Pentecost still abides within every believer. He has been sent to walk alongside us as our comforter, enabler, and guide.
The Holy Spirit, unlike human companions, is perfectly adequate to meet our every need. Since He knows us intimately, He can comfort us in pain and loss when no one else can. Anytime we find ourselves in a quandary, He knows exactly what we ought to do. Since the future is laid bare before His eyes, He�s aware of all the details that concern us. What�s more, He promises to guide us each step of the way, calming our fears and overcoming our inadequacies.
Because we were created for God, only through His Spirit are we made complete. He is the ultimate solution to man�s aloneness: He�s always available and will never forsake or forget you. When others let you down, the Comforter is present to lift you up with the reminder that you�re not alone.
A Godly Heart
Trust in Him (v. 5). God is merciful, all-knowing, kind, and generous. You can trust Him with your hopes and dreams.
Rest in Him (v. 7). Resting in the Lord means trusting Him to answer prayers in His timing or transform your aspirations so they conform to His will.
Wait upon the Lord patiently (v. 7). Jesus waited three decades before beginning His three-year ministry on earth. According to His example, waiting is one of the key principles of Christian living.
One of the reasons that many people--including believers--don’t read the Bible is because they can’t understand it. We would expect that to be the case for those who don’t know Christ, but why do so many believers fail to comprehend the truths of Scripture? Maybe it’s because they haven’t asked for help from their divine Teacher. One of the Holy Spirit’s chief responsibilities is to enable Christians to understand the things of God.
When looking at believers who know more than we do, we’ll sometimes think, I will never be able to reach that level. The issue, however, isn’t how much knowledge you have right now, but whether you are growing in your understanding. The Spirit will teach you what you need to know, not necessarily what others know. Because He wants to make us godly people, He’ll give us enough truth each day to change our lives. He will interpret the meaning and give an application designed specifically for each person.
The Spirit’s goal is not to fill your mind with information but to bring you to a deeper level in your relationship with the Lord. He wants you to understand the truth so you will fall in love with Jesus. Then you’ll long to spend time in the Word, thereby getting to know Him even better.
But all these treasures of God’s Word could remain out of reach if you never ask the Teacher to unlock them. Each time you read your Bible, ask the Lord for understanding. A wonderfully intimate love relationship with Christ awaits those who let the Spirit reveal to them the thoughts of God.
Perfect Minded
“Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.” (Philippians 3:15-16)
Our Incomparable Companion
John 14:16-18
Most of us don�t like being alone for extended periods of time. In fact, we are not designed to live in isolation. Even at the very beginning, God said, �It is not good for the man to be alone� (Gen. 2:18). But sometimes situations in life leave us separated from others. Or perhaps we simply feel lonely, even though we live with our mate or family. But whatever your situation may be, if you are a believer, you�re never alone.
Knowing His followers could feel abandoned after His crucifixion and ascension, Jesus promised to send them a Helper who would never leave them--the Spirit of truth. The same One who came to them at Pentecost still abides within every believer. He has been sent to walk alongside us as our comforter, enabler, and guide.
The Holy Spirit, unlike human companions, is perfectly adequate to meet our every need. Since He knows us intimately, He can comfort us in pain and loss when no one else can. Anytime we find ourselves in a quandary, He knows exactly what we ought to do. Since the future is laid bare before His eyes, He�s aware of all the details that concern us. What�s more, He promises to guide us each step of the way, calming our fears and overcoming our inadequacies.
Because we were created for God, only through His Spirit are we made complete. He is the ultimate solution to man�s aloneness: He�s always available and will never forsake or forget you. When others let you down, the Comforter is present to lift you up with the reminder that you�re not alone.
A Godly Heart
The Lord promises to give us the desires of our hearts. But many people take this passage out of context, forgetting that their own mindset plays a vital part in bringing it to fruition. As my mother once said, "Where your mind goes, your feet go, so be careful what you think about."
What is your responsibility when it comes to claiming promises from God?
Delight yourselves in the Lord (Ps. 37:4). Christians should rejoice in God and desire to walk in obedience. The Lord must have first place in your life before you can claim the promise in this verse.
Commit your way to the Lord (v. 5). Allow God to change any aspect of your ambition that is not His will.
Remember that when He doesn't answer a prayer as you wished, it is for a reason.
Remember that when He doesn't answer a prayer as you wished, it is for a reason.
Trust in Him (v. 5). God is merciful, all-knowing, kind, and generous. You can trust Him with your hopes and dreams.
Rest in Him (v. 7). Resting in the Lord means trusting Him to answer prayers in His timing or transform your aspirations so they conform to His will.
Wait upon the Lord patiently (v. 7). Jesus waited three decades before beginning His three-year ministry on earth. According to His example, waiting is one of the key principles of Christian living.
Do your desires align with God's purpose and plan for your life? He longs to give His followers abundant blessings and fullness of joy. So allow your dreams to be conformed to the Lord's will, and follow His guidance faithfully. Only when you surrender to Him will you experience God's best for your life.
The Indwelling Trinity
�That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.� (Ephesians 3:16-19)
�That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.� (Ephesians 3:16-19)
This prayer of the apostle Paul applies to us as well as �to the saints which are at Ephesus� (Ephesians 1:1). Paul directs his prayer �unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ� (3:14), and he requests both that �Christ may dwell in your hearts� and also that the Holy Spirit would strengthen our �inner man.� We know elsewhere that Christ is at the right hand of the Father in heaven (Ephesians 1:20), so that the Holy Spirit is the person who actually indwells our bodies as believers. And yet, because God is a triune God, if the Holy Spirit indwells us, so also must �the Spirit of Christ,� or else �he is none of his� (Romans 8:9).
But the prayer doesn�t end with Christ dwelling in our hearts. He further prays that �ye might be filled with all the fulness of God,� and thus the Father is there too! When we accept Christ, we accept also the Father and the Holy Spirit, for the three are one, and God in all His tri-une fullness thenceforth lives in our bodies.
The Lord Jesus Himself had prayed essentially the same prayer. �I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; . . . and my Father will love [you], and we will . . . make our abode with [you]� (John 14:16-17, 23). What a priceless privilege and responsibility is ours as believers, that our triune God of creation and redemption and direction is with us always! HMM
A Worldly Heart
God warns us against misguided desires, because sinful passions can lead to emptiness, suffering, disappointment, pain, and even death. Wise believers let the Father direct their yearnings--and then make changes if necessary.
Impure desires have been part of the "flesh" nature since the fall of man, and they can be hard to see in ourselves. Instead of obvious things like theft, drugs, or immorality, they often involve more subtle attitudes and behaviors, like hoping for a rival's downfall, despising authority (2 Peter 2:10), obsessing about wealth (1 Tim. 6:9), or even speaking arrogant and vain words. Since worldly passions can cause great damage (2 Peter 2:18), believers are to deny them (Titus 2:11-12). But we can't overcome these desires on our own. Submitting to God's Spirit is the only way to live righteously.
The Lord knows what we really desire--and more importantly, what we need--even when cloudy judgment leads us astray. And He understands honest mistakes. When a believer misinterprets the Spirit's guidance or receives bad advice from a friend, God looks at the heart. He may allow the consequences of a poor choice to play out, but He won't shame His children for an honest mistake. He can turn a bad situation into something good (Rom. 8:28).
God can save us from worldly desires, but we must be willing to commit ourselves to Him and trust that His response is the best thing for us. When we put our lives entirely in the Father's hands, we can claim the wonderful promises He has for us and then rest in His grace.
Not Convenient
�Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.� (Ephesians 5:4)
�Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.� (Ephesians 5:4)
It seems surprising that �foolish talking� and �jesting� would be condemned as things that should �not be once named among you� (v. 3). Yet here it is, and commentators usually assume that the foolish talking and jesting so condemned really only apply to filthy talking and filthy jesting. After all, the popularity of many Christian speakers today seems to be measured by the amount of jokes and witticisms they inject into their messages.
This is a sensitive subject, and each Christian should conscientiously decide for himself what God is saying here, through Paul. In any case, it seems significant that the only reference in the Bible to �jesting� is a warning against it. It is also significant that one can never find this element in the sermons of Christ or the letters of Paul or anywhere in the Bible. The Bible writers seem to have believed that sin and salvation were such sober, serious issues that there was nothing there to joke about. We read several times of Jesus weeping, but never of Him laughing. The Scriptures often refer to �rejoicing,� but never to �having fun.�
Furthermore, Jesus warned that �every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment� (Matthew 12:36), and Paul exhorted us to �let your speech be always with grace� (Colossians 4:6). Our text says that foolish talking and jesting are �not convenient� for a Christian. Other things �not convenient� include the list of 23 sins in Romans 1:28-31, beginning with �unrighteousness� and ending with �unmerciful.�
Whether or not we can justify certain �convenient� times for jesting, there is one thing we can know is always convenient�that is, �giving of thanks.� HMM
Our Heart's Desires
If you could have anything in the world, what would it be? Your answer reveals a lot about who you are. The psalmist writes, "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart" (Ps. 37:4). There is nothing wrong with desires--they motivate us to achieve great things. But not all of our yearnings come from God.
Consider your aspirations and what they say about who you are:
Do you hope for a position of authority in order to be in control? Longing for personal advancement in order to manipulate others reveals a lack of integrity, whereas a godly person craves righteousness.
Do you dream about wealth and fame? Perhaps there's a void in your spirit that you're trying to fill. But only God can meet the insatiable needs of the human heart.
Are you afraid to ask the Lord for what you want? Maybe you think He won't listen, but God tells us to approach His throne with boldness and confidence (Heb. 4:16).
If the Lord doesn't respond affirmatively to your prayers, ask Him to make your desires conform to His will. Whatever you do, don't take matters into your own hands and go after what you want. There is always a high price to pay for rebelling against God.
God cares for us bountifully, but that doesn't mean we can expect Him to deliver whatever we want, whenever we want it. Only when our dreams align with His plan for our lives does He fulfill them. The thoughts that preoccupy us are an accurate barometer of the state of our relationship with Christ.
Spiritual Gifts: An Implication for Unanswered Prayer
by John Piper
by John Piper
First, let�s just remind ourselves of some truths about spiritual gifts from 1 Corinthians 12. Then we will notice a simple implication for unanswered prayer.
1. God wants us to know about spiritual gifts.
�Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed� (1 Corinthians 12:1).
2. Objective truths about Jesus govern subjective spiritual experiences.
�No one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says �Jesus is accursed!� and no one can say �Jesus is Lord� except in the Holy Spirit� (1 Corinthians 12:3).
3. Different Christians have different spiritual powers given to them by the Holy Spirit.
�There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit� (1 Corinthians 12:4).
4. For example, these different spiritual powers include the following:
�Wisdom . . . knowledge . . . faith . . . healing . . . miracles . . . prophecy . . . ability to distinguish between spirits . . . tongues . . . interpretation of tongues�(1 Corinthians 12:8�10).
5. The Spirit of God is sovereign over when and to whom he gives such powers.
�All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills� (<b>1 Corinthians 12:11).</b
6. The aim of all the gifts is the common good of the church.
�To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good�(1 Corinthians 12:7).
7. The variety of gifts is like the variety of our body parts, such as eye and ear, hand and foot.
8. Therefore, if a spiritual power is not used, it�s like the human body not hearing.
�If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing?(1 Corinthians 12:17).
9. Therefore, we should avail ourselves of the spiritual powers God gives us through others.
�The eye cannot say to the hand, �I have no need of you�� (1 Corinthians 12:21).
Now consider the implications of this for unanswered prayer. There is more than one reason why we may pray for things and yet not receive them. Reasons may include 1) because we don�t trust God (James 1:6); 2) because the answer would not glorify Christ and sanctify us as much as something else (2 Corinthians 12:8�10); 3) because the answer is coming later than we think (Joseph waited 13 years before he saw the reason for his afflictions, Genesis 37�50).
But here is a reason we may not think of very often. God may intend to give us the blessing we long for not directly in answer to prayer, but indirectly in answer to prayer--through the spiritual gifting of another believer. And the reason we don�t receive the blessing is that we don�t avail ourselves of the power God intends to channel through the gifts of his people.
For example, the gifts Paul mentions include wisdom and healings and miracles. This implies that God intends that sometimes wisdom and healing and other sorts of miracles come into our lives through other believers ministering to us. If this were not true, there would be no point in spiritual gifts. They are one way God brings about the �common good� of the church.
If we pray and pray for some change we want to see, but we never consider seeking the ministry of a fellow believer, we are like the eye that says to the hand, �I have no need of you� (1 Corinthians 12:21).
So in your small groups (which is the most natural place for such ministry to happen), seek the fullness of God�s �good� (1 Corinthians 12:7), and minister to each other--and seek to be ministered to--in this way.
Seeking all his fullness with you,
Pastor John
Christopher Columbus is recognized in this country for his bold search across the Atlantic, resulting in the major exploration and colonization of North America. As with many great men, variations abound of his character, but he is widely recognized as a Bible-quoting religious man.
Motivation seems to be the key behind the success of history�s �great� men. Some inner drive captivated the heart of those explorers, inventors, statesmen, generals, and leaders. And so it is with the prophets, priests, and kings of the Kingdom�they were driven by a �burning fire� in their �bones� (Jeremiah 20:9).
Solomon, granted wisdom by God, nonetheless gave his �heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven� (Ecclesiastes 1:13). Excellence does not just happen!
Those Berean Christians who were cited as being more �noble� than the Thessalonians were recognized because they �received the word with all readiness of mind, and [emphasis added] searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so� (Acts 17:11). They listened (passive), but they also searched (active).
Spiritual maturity does not come by mere chronological survival! �Strong meat,� the Scripture notes, �belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil� (Hebrews 5:14).
Careful attention to the instructions in the Word and careful observance to follow those instructions are the only formula for God�s blessing of prosperity and �good success� (Joshua 1:8). HMM III
Absent from the Body
�We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.� (2 Corinthians 5:8)
This wonderful phrase of hope��absent from the body, present with the Lord��was the most appropriate inscription we could think of to place on the gravestone of our youngest son when he died many years ago. He was a solid Christian young man with a good Christian testimony, so we are indeed �confident� that he has been �present with the Lord� ever since sudden cancer temporarily conquered his body, leaving a beautiful wife and three young children behind.
Therefore, though we all miss him deeply, we �sorrow not, even as others which have no hope� (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Sadly, however, there are many others who are �without Christ, . . . having no hope, and without God in the world� (Ephesians 2:12). Although Christ has paid the full redemption price on the cross to have their sins forgiven and to give them eternal life, they spurn His love and so Jesus has to say, �And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life� (John 5:40).
The times of judgment are coming, when they learn that �whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire� (Revelation 20:15). Right now, however, all who know Christ as their Lord and Savior can know, with Paul, that �to live is Christ, and to die is gain� (Philippians 1:21).
Furthermore, when Christ returns, �them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him� (1 Thessalonians 4:14). And then He will change our old body, whether in the grave or still living, �that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body� and �we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is� (Philippians 3:21; 1 John 3:2). HMM
�We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.� (2 Corinthians 5:8)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.