Thought for Wednesday, 28 September

 1 Corinthians 2:14 (new living translation)

But people who aren’t Christians can’t understand these truths from God’s Spirit.  It all sounds foolish to them because only those who have the Spirit can understand what the Spirit means.

 

In doing a little bit of research on this passage, a common conclusion appears to be drawn and that is that intellectual knowledge and human reasoning cannot produce faith.  It has to be revealed to us by God through his Holy Spirit.

If two people listen to a sermon, or some other form of religious instruction and one believes and the other doesn’t believe, why does this happen?  They both have heard the same ‘raw material’ but one accepts it and the other rejects it.  Paul’s letter to the Corinthians explains why this happens.

When we attend Church or read interpretations of scripture such as this, it is mainly God the Father and God the Son who feature.  God the Holy Spirit is often glossed over.  What we learn here is that if we don’t have the Holy Spirit within us, we can never truly believe in God and accept the risen Christ as our saviour.  This has to be revealed to us by the Holy Spirit.

Those who refuse to believe do not have the Spirit within them.  Some may disbelieve but have a desire to become a believer.  For them, they have to pray to God that he will open their hearts and minds and let the Spirit enter into their lives.

The truth contained within the bible must be received spiritually and if the Spirit is not within us, we will never be able to relate to that truth or indeed, believe in it.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, our Living Hope, we long for your glory and power. Our hearts long to be overcome by your presence. Like a mighty rushing wind, fill the places in which we meet. Baptise us with your fire. Spirit of truth, teach us all things and bring to remembrance the words of Jesus. Guide us into all truth. Give us power in our weakness to speak the Word of God and declare our faith with boldness. Amen.