THE MIND OF CHRIST Nature Is Incapable Nature is incapable of producing anything eternal. In fact, "flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Cor 15:50). It has been written off, counted unworthy, and rejected as unsuitable to dwell with God. Because of this, nature is incapable of qualifying us to dwell with the Lord, or bringing an apprehension of the things of God. It can be cultured, trained, disciplined, and educated, but it will never be able to add to your faith or stabilize you in grace. There are absolutely no exceptions to this rule. This is why our text emphatically states, "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" (1 Cor 2:14, NASB). An Observation Over the years I have observed the distracting influence of worldly wisdom. Many an individual exposed to limited amounts of formal education has keen insight into the things of God. On the other hand, many an astute thinker considers the things of God to be nothing more than superstition. While this by no means places a premium upon ignorance, it does accentuate the liability of the natural order. -- 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 5 of 28
The consummation of this process was declared by Jesus. "And Jesus said to them, 'Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, IN THE REGENERATION when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel'" (Matt 19:28). Over 700 years before Jesus, Isaiah prophesied of that "regeneration." "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind" (Isa 65:17, NASB). This declares the appointed demise of nature in all of its aspects.
I understand that it is not fashionable to speak in this manner, particularly in academic circles--but this is how the Lord has spoken. We really have no alternative but to speak the same way. The contemporary church has made a practice of qualifying men to proclaim the Gospel by granting them "natural" credentials. Such a procedure, as hallowed as it may appear to be, is not in harmony with the Word of the Lord. In fact, it is contrary to Revelation. Mind you, I am not against erudition and mental disciplines--but they are not the qualifiers! They are nothing more than tools. They cannot produce one spark of spiritual understanding. They cannot bring you one millimeter closer to God. They cannot awaken the soul, neutralize Satan's temptations, or bring the precious promises closer to your heart.
God has spoken on this matter, and He has done so with precision and conviction. "For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised, God has chosen, the things that are not, that He might nullify the things that are, that no man should boast before God" (1 Cor 1:26-29, NASB). That is a passage that requires belief more than explanation. It confirms the nature of the subject we are addressing.
Do not think for one moment that those who chose to obtain their credentials from God are noted for simplistic expression and rudimentary knowledge. A walk with God makes your mind keener. It expands your capabilities, and enhances your expression. When you read the writings of Peter and John, you will never associate them with being fishermen. If God's Word had not told us these men were fishermen, and that Matthew as a tax collector, we would never had thought for a moment they came from that sort of background!
What student of Scripture has ever concluded from the nature of Amos' writings that he was among "the herdsman of Tekoa" or a "gatherer of sycamore fruit" (Amos 1:1; 7:14). The wise men of the East could not decipher the place of Messiah's birth without consulting those familiar with Scripture (Matt 2:2). It was the lack of earthly erudition that caused Christ's critics to balk at His words (John 7:15).
Jesus has spoken: "The flesh profits nothing" (John 6:63). When it comes to the things of God, the well of nature does not go deep enough. It does not reach the refreshing streams of the water of life. In the world to come, there will be no remnant of the order that has been cursed! It should not surprise us, therefore, that it cannot yield anything eternally profitable to us now. We have a new Progenitor, Jesus, the "second man" and the "last Adam" (1 Cor 15:45,47). Those in Christ are nothing less than "a new creation," looking for "a new heavens and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness" (2 Cor 5:17; 2 Pet 3:13).
PRAYER POINT: Father, in Jesus' name, grant me grace to recognize the poverty of the natural order, and seek wisdom from You alone.