THE MIND OF CHRIST -- Tomorrow:
"For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no man. For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE SHOULD INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ" (1 Cor 2:11-16, NASB).
Devotion 2 of 28
In using the word "template theology," I mean reading the Word of God with a dominating perspective--a "hermeneutic," if you please. For example, you can read Scripture with the template of etymology over it. By this, I mean you choose rely ultimately upon the science of language to bring the meaning of the text to you. Those adopting this particular view speak much of "the original language," treating it as though it were as sacred as the tablets upon which the Law was written (which tablets God did not preserve for human vision).
There are other templates, which I have called theological. You can read the Bible with the contrived doctrine of "total depravity" in your mind. This doctrine teaches that man fell so far in transgression, that he is incapable of responding to God at all, even though Adam responded to God while in a fallen state, and even remained in that fallen state. Those accepting the full doctrine of "total depravity" believe man must first be resurrected by Divine power before he can even respond to God. Admittedly, there is an element of truth to this, but it is by no means a Divinely uttered or sanctioned statement. However, if that perspective dominates your thinking when you read the Word of God, you will imagine things are taught by Scripture that are utterly false. You will find your false theology supposedly confirmed on nearly every page of Scripture.
You can also read the Bible with the prevailing persuasion that once you are saved, you cannot possibly be lost. That imagination will corrupt nearly everything you read. It will seem to you that God validates your view throughout Scripture. You will imagine that you read of security for those without spiritual minds, simply upon the basis of their former acceptance of Christ.
One can also read our text, (2 Cor 2:11-16) convinced that Christ really is not possessed by the believer, and that human abilities are the key to understanding Scripture and advancing in the faith. The text will look differently to such a one, and the truth of it will be missed.
If, however, this text is read with a true spiritual perspective, the reality of it will register upon the heart. That perspective, among other things, includes the persuasion that "the flesh profits nothing" (John 6:63), and that in our "flesh" nothing good dwells (Rom 7:18). Convinced that everything in Adam dies (Rom 5:1 Cor 15:22), and that the well of nature has been thoroughly corrupted, the message of the text comes across to us with great power.
We will learn from this passage that the "natural man" is incapable of receiving the "things of the Spirit of God." Such things are "foolishness" to those limited to the Adamic nature. This condition is precisely what necessitates the new birth. If some vestige of goodness or power resides in man, what possible need is there for the new birth? You want a basic theology that permits you to accept these words of the Spirit of God without reservation!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in Jesus' name, open my understanding to behold the truth about both Adam and Jesus.