THE MIND OF CHRIST Man's Threefold Nature The threefold nature of man is relevant at this point. The totality of man is revealed as "spirit, soul, and body" (1 Thess 5:23). Together, these comprise the individual. These parts do not all have the same weight, however. They are much like the tabernacle of old: the holy of holies, the holy place, and the outer court. The body parallels the outer court, where exposure to the presence of God was not realized. The soul parallels the holy place, where limited activity was found in relation to God. The spirit, however, parallels the holy of holies, where contact with the Living God was realized. There is where the communication took place. There is where the Presence of God was found. -- 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 12 of 28
Our text states that the "things God has prepared for those who love Him" have been revealed "by the Spirit." Whether that revelation is the initial one received by the Apostles and prophets, or the opening of that revelation to believers, is of no consequence. There is no point in this world at which the Holy Spirit ceases to be operative in spiritual life. He did not go back to heaven once He had revealed the things God had prepared for them that love Him. Note, they were not the things prepared for the Apostles, but for those "who love Him."
The purpose of the revelation was not so the Apostles could merely declare them, but so they could be "known," or personally realized. As it is written, "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual" (11 Cor 2:12-13).
Only when these things were "known" were they declared. Further,
once they were declared by the Apostles--Paul in particular--we have a record of some of his prayers, requesting that understanding be given to those who heard them. "I do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened" (Eph 1:16-18). And again, "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding" (Col 1:9). And again, "Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things" (2 Tim 2:7).
It is that aspect of spiritual knowledge to which I am referring. It occurs through the instrumentality of the Holy Spirit. As to WHEN it occurs, it is when "the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts" (2 Pet 1:19). It is when the SIGNIFICANCE of what is said is seen. It is when the MAGNIFICENCE of the glory awaiting is made known.
Similarly, the human spirit is indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God. He comes to clarify the things of God, and to enable us to experience Divine fellowship. He comes as a Revealer because of the spiritual destitution caused by sin. We need Him because "the flesh profits nothing."
PRAYER POINT: Father, in Jesus' name I thank You for the Holy Spirit, who comforts, strengthens, and instructs me.