Perceptions of the flesh often limit our potential. We are hindered by our own frailty, and we have problems getting beyond the natural, into the spiritual. It is every simple. Spiritual intuition belongs to the Holy Ghost, who empowers us according to Acts 1:8 The natural man knows not the things of God. Listen to 1st Corinthians 2:14. “But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know, because they are spiritually discerned.” Powerful words and these words help us understand that the things of God are revealed by the Spirit of God as the Holy Ghost opens our eyes to truth. He asks another question in verse 16: “For who hath known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him: for we have the mind of Christ.” So often people try to live a Christian life apart from being a disciple, disciplined in the Word of God, through having a personal relationship based upon truth in the inner man. The truth sets us free, not only by saving us, but instructing or empowering us to know the truth as we walk in the light of His counsel. Who is our counselor? Well, it is the spirit that quickens us to truth.
So often people get caught up in the methods, characteristics, emotions and presentations of the Pastor, instead of the content and truth that is being presented. When Paul was writing in 1st Corinthians, he was correcting misconceptions of the believers in Corinth. In verse 4-8 of Chapter 2 He writes: “For while one saith I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos, are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. (Notice now!) So then neither is he that plants any thing, neither is he that waters: but God gives the increase.” If one looks back into 1stCorinthians 1, in verse 21 we read this. “For after that in the wisdom of God the world knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” My guess is that most today would choose another way, but God’s wisdom is greater than any man’s!
Today we see so many departing from the very foundations God has established. But what did Jesus say in John 16:7-15 which is critical to those things I am writing today. “Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now: Howbeit when he, the spirit of truth, is come he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself: but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you.” The power of God by that Holy Ghost is what is working in you and through you as you continue in the Word of God as a disciple. Are you listening? These disciples lived under the authority of another. Christ sent the hope of the Holy Ghost into our hearts that we might know the things which have been given unto us by that same Spirit which empowers us to live Christ. The object of our faith is Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. The scriptures teach us; and we see in Romans 15:13, “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of he Holy Ghost.” We also read in 1stThessalonians 1:5, “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.” For the Word of God, is quick, and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit; and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 So as it says in verse 16, “Let us come therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
