In Spirit and in Truth
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1 Corinthians 2:6-16
6. Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. 7. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glorification. 8. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9. But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him," 10. God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11. For what person knows a man's thoughts except the spirit of the man which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. 13. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who possess the Spirit. 14. The unspiritual man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15. The spiritual man judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16. "For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
Our words have power because their origin is the Holy Spirit. We may have the skills of great orator, we may speak several languages, we may have studied all the works of the “great thinkers” of this world. But those skills, those words, those thoughts, are inconsequential compared to the power we have through the Holy Spirit. All of man’s superlatives are nothing--meaningless--compared to the understanding we gain as we come to know the “thoughts of God.” Our words resonate in others because of the power of the Spirit to use us as a megaphone of God’s word. Our communication transcends any human language barrier when we “speak in love.” Our thoughts and ideas are inspired by God within us -- the Holy Spirit.
This is how God spoke through the prophets of old. This explains how those ordinary, in some case ornery, in other cases weak-willed and timid, could so forcefully and willfully change the course of history. They were not acting on their own volition -- they were propelled by God’s power, through the in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit. And for a long time God only imparted that kind of knowledge and innate sense of purpose in a select few. And at the time in history when it must have seemed that things were as bad as they were ever going to get for the God-fearing of the world, Jesus came on the scene!
Who is this God anyway? Who are we that he would even bother with us? Isn’t it unfathomable? I’ve shared before that each morning I come to the computer, I feel almost as if I’m drawn here when the scripture has begun to “speak” to me. I usually don’t know how I’ll start--which is the most challenging--and never know how I’ll end. Sometimes I erase entire paragraphs without being sure why. My words have no meaning, have no capacity to touch another’s heart or mind or soul if they are spoken from my own experience and interpretation. It is when God infuses me with the Spirit’s understanding that those experiences are interpreted in ways that communicate God’s words, his plan that has unfolded for me and for my life. And hopefully, through my sharing that journey in obedience and with intention and humility, others benefit and grow in their own knowledge of and faith in a God so wonderful.
And by infusing others with his understanding, my words have the power to seep into their lives. They find ways to apply the lessons God has taught me in their own situations. And I do not doubt that there is a cosmic connection between people when the Spirit moves! I sat in church last Sunday with my husband to my left (his usual “aisle” seat), one of my friends to my right, and next to her, my walking buddy. It was Youth Sunday and the spiritual energy in the room was palpable. As one of the teenagers shared testimony with the congregation, my walking buddy and I began to emanate “sparks” and our friend between us said she felt an “energy” pass between us! We almost couldn’t sit still! We were both getting the same message at the same time about a situation we would be involved in later in the week, and it was truly electrifying! That’s how the Spirit works! We are born with “God-receptors.” I think that’s what makes us seek God our whole lives. The Holy Spirit is how the switch is flipped to “ON.”
I hope today you’ll turn the ‘ON’ switch in your heart and soul to receive all the blessings God wants to give the world through you. And that you’ll feel that electricity pass through your body when you reach out to others in spirit and in truth.
Mary
