08/03/21 WE HAVE AS MUCH OF GOD AS WE WANT

08/03/21 WE HAVE AS MUCH OF GOD AS WE WANT

A Biblical truth can be heard by two believers. Both may be able to recite it but only one understands it because it is a mystery (a Divine secret), which is spiritually discerned.

Spiritual discernment must come through spiritual surrender to God, submission to Biblical leadership and single mindedness with God and fellow believers.

Knowing something in our head is not always accompanied with spiritual acquiescence (even with born again, advanced believers) because God does not share His secrets with those who are giving only measured surrender, limited submission and double mindedness.

1 Corinthians 2:6-16

6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received, not 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.

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

After writing these words, Paul pointed out that there are three mindsets among people.

First: The Natural Man (psuchikos) is the person who has the sinful nature and does not have a spiritual nature because he is still dead in his sins and trespasses, therefor he is not in a spiritual relationship with God, and he still needs to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit.

Second: The Carnal Christian (sarkikos) is the saved man, the baby Christian. This person has both sinful nature and a Divine nature, having been born of the Holy Spirit. He is unable to eat spiritual meat, which is expected of the mature Christian. He leans toward division, selfishness because he still bears the image of Adam. This person is referred to as double minded and is in need of heart purification.

Third: The Spiritual Christian (pneumatikos) is the saved man who has been delivered from carnal, double mindedness, through the purifying fullness of the Holy Spirit. This person has died to self and to the world. He is crucified with Christ, yet lives in the Spirit. This person has been forgiven of his sins and purified of his self orientation and self assurance.

1 Corinthians 3:1-23

1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;

22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.

As you read the rest of the passage, you see the spiritual benefits and enablements of being a Spirit filled believer. Obviously the spiritual man has entered into a deeper relationship with God and fellow believers. Unity with God and His people is the result of knowing the secret of God.

Psalms 25:14

14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

If you won't die to self, sin, the world, Satan, then you won't understand the secrets of God, even though you can recite them and cite their verses.

When believers are of one mind, when they are submissive to one another, without being self protective, self assertive and self oriented, then they are of one mind with God and one another. This is seldom seen, even in Bible, Christ serving churches. When this Biblical oneness of mind is present in a church it is not necessarily found in the church at large, but rather centered in a smaller group.

Keep in mind, few people will repent and trust in Christ. Of that small group, even fewer will continue to deny themselves, take up their crosses and follow Jesus fully.

Be one of the few who follow through.