And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
– 1 Corinthians 2:13
Even after we understand the core truths of the Gospel there remains the totality of God’s revelation in Scripture to be understood. And all of it must be imparted by the Spirit. Even the best preacher in the world cannot make any man understand the Gospel if the Spirit is not at work.
This is one of the most sobering realizations we can have as Christians. We are utterly dependent upon the Spirit of God to understand any of the truths of the Bible. We cannot, of our own will and mind, grasp the eternal truth about God by trying more or by reading our Bibles more. Rather, we need the Spirit’s help to open our eyes. Even after we are saved, we cannot understand the truth unless the Spirit works in us. All through Jesus’ ministry we see this on display. The disciples were believers, but they needed their eyes to constantly be opened to more and more truth.
The Apostle says the same in our book of Ephesians, “remembering you in my prayers, that the…Father of glory, may give you the Spirit …having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope…the riches of his glorious inheritance…and the immeasurable greatness of his power.” We need the Spirit now just as much as anyone needs Him. We cannot hope to comprehend the Gospel without Him and, if we don’t understand the Gospel, we have no chance of living a life in accordance with it.
Only True to the Spiritual
And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
– 1 Corinthians 2:13
Even after we understand the core truths of the Gospel there remains the totality of God’s revelation in Scripture to be understood. And all of it must be imparted by the Spirit. Even the best preacher in the world cannot make any man understand the Gospel if the Spirit is not at work.
This is one of the most sobering realizations we can have as Christians. We are utterly dependent upon the Spirit of God to understand any of the truths of the Bible. We cannot, of our own will and mind, grasp the eternal truth about God by trying more or by reading our Bibles more. Rather, we need the Spirit’s help to open our eyes. Even after we are saved, we cannot understand the truth unless the Spirit works in us. All through Jesus’ ministry we see this on display. The disciples were believers, but they needed their eyes to constantly be opened to more and more truth.
The Apostle says the same in our book of Ephesians, “remembering you in my prayers, that the…Father of glory, may give you the Spirit …having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope…the riches of his glorious inheritance…and the immeasurable greatness of his power.” We need the Spirit now just as much as anyone needs Him. We cannot hope to comprehend the Gospel without Him and, if we don’t understand the Gospel, we have no chance of living a life in accordance with it.