THE MIND OF CHRIST Taught by Christ To have the mind of Christ is to be taught by Him. Our text affirms there is no other way for this to be experienced. You cannot obtain the mind of Christ by simply studying, engaging in Biblical research, or following a path of supposedly logical thought. Those who imagine this is possible need to be more sober before the Lord. A Large Text There are two aspects of this text. First, the source of the message, and second the apprehension of the message. Paul affirms that both require the Spirit of God. Nature has been so corrupted that it cannot discover the things "God has prepared for them that love Him." Secondly, it is so corrupt it cannot comprehend them after it has been confronted with a revealed message. The world's reaction to Jesus, the Truth incarnate, confirms this to be the case (John 1:10). After being in the presence of the Christ for three years, the real Jesus eluded even the Apostles (John 14:8-9). -- 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 13 of 28
Now we come to the textual affirmation--"But we have the mind of Christ." I am painfully aware of the academic dexterity that has been employed to rid us of the implications of this text, applying it only to the Apostles. Those efforts notwithstanding, the text stands as a testimony to the effectiveness of God's salvation.
"We who have the Spirit understand these things, but others can't understand us at all. How could they? For, 'Who can know what the Lord is thinking? Who can give him counsel?' But we can understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ." (1 Cor 2:15-16 NLT). The term "these things" refers specifically to "the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." It generally refers to anything God is thinking or has purposed.
The idea of the passage is this: Man cannot comprehend the thoughts of God by his own powers. Neither, indeed, can he instruct God. On the other hand, God CAN reveal what He is thinking to men, and He CAN instruct, or teach, men, who are His creation. In fact, one of the benefits foretold by the prophets was "All your children shall be TAUGHT by the LORD" (Isa 2:3, NKJV). David said of the Lord, "Therefore He TEACHES sinners in the way" (Psa 25:8). And again, "O God, You have TAUGHT me from my youth" (Psa 71:17). At least fourteen times the Psalmist cried out to God, "TEACH ME" (Psa 25:4,5; 27:11; 86:11; 119:12, 26, 34, 64, 66, 68, 108, 124, 135; 143:10).
Referring to this blessing Jesus said, "It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall ALL be TAUGHT by God.' Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me" (John 6:45). Members of Christ's body are informed they have been effectively TAUGHT by God. "But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are TAUGHT BY GOD to love one another" (1 Thess 4:9, NKJV). The reality of being taught by God, therefore, cannot be questioned. Further, the experience cannot be confined to the Apostles. Jesus said everyone coming to Him has been taught by God. Believers in Christ are told God taught them to love one another.
Those who are in Christ are taught by Him. The truth of Scripture is brought home to their heart, as well as the implications of His death, resurrection, and enthronement at the right hand of God. The Spirit alludes to this in the fourth chapter of Ephesians. There believers are reminded how utterly unreasonable it is to for men to give themselves over to lewdness, or sensuality--living according to the flesh. After reminding the saints they are not to walk in this manner, He adds these pungent words. "But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been TAUGHT BY HIM, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness" (Eph 4:20-24). Christ's teaching is effective teaching! It is not theoretical, but results in men casting off the works of darkness and putting on the armor of light. Those who are "TAUGHT BY HIM," have "the mind of Christ."
It is true that Paul confirms his apostleship in this text -- but that is not all that he does. He did receive his message from the Spirit of God. The question is whether or not this text is limited to the Apostles. When Paul says "we," does he mean "we Apostles?" If so, why did he not say that? He spoke after that manner in another place. "And by referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit" (Eph 3:4-5). Is this what Paul is saying in our text? Or, is he speaking with a Kingdom principle in mind that extends beyond his own person? The latter is emphatically the case.
Bringing the truth of God within the proximity of the "natural man" does not make it discernible. The Apostle confirms this to be the case when he says, "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" (1 Cor 2:13-14, NASB). Mind you, the "natural man" cannot "accept the things of the Spirit of God," even when spiritual thoughts are combined with spiritual words! Such words are "spiritually appraised."
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me grace to put away from me all inclinations to attempt to understand Your truth without Your influence.