Tuesday

How to understand spiritual things

Let’s take another verse from the Bible……

‘It is the spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.’  (John 6:63)

Sounds a bit complicated, so let me ‘say it different’.

‘It is the spirit that gives life and understanding to what I am saying; 'natural' thinking cannot figure it out: the words that I speak to you are of spirit, and they are life to all who hear them.’

And so it is when we read the Bible. The intellect may grasp the story and the moral teachings, but unless the Holy Spirit gives understanding to the truth, all they are is words. Jesus was telling things to those who gathered around him and some were offended by his sayings, and others simply baffled.

You can sit in a church and listen to a preacher, but it does nothing for you whatsoever. Now, that may be because the preacher himself is both boring and has no clue about what he is saying, or it could be because you have no spiritual ability to understand.

No matter how simply we may put things, unless the Holy Spirit gives us the spiritual knowledge, we stay in ignorance; but when he, the Spirit of truth comes, he will lead us into all truth, for he lights up God’s word and spiritually enables us to receive it as from God.  (John 16:13)

Now, if we do not have the Spirit of God, then we do not belong to Jesus Christ, and need to be truly born again.  (Romans 8:9)

Have you received the Holy Spirit since you first believed? 

If not, ask God: 

'for if we sinners know how to give good gifts to our children, HOW MUCH MORE will God give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him'.  (Acts 19:2)  (Luke 11:13)

 

Pilgrim Warrior

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