Sunday 13 December, 2020

6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him— 10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. 14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. 15 The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, 16 for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

In a postmodern world where science replaces faith, true religion is ‘Me’, and morality is blurred, it is more important than ever to know the mind of God through the presence of the Holy Spirit. As a follower of a Jesus, I find my lifestyle and values can be very counterculture. I want to know that my thinking and behaviour is in alignment with God’s expectations. It is all too easy to go with worldly thinking. It will be comfortable and familiar unless I have the Holy Spirit inside me to prompt and challenge me when required. This passage reminds me that when I choose to be countercultural because of my faith, I cannot expect the world to understand. But if I can live for Jesus without judging or condemning others, just maybe those around me who live without Faith might be drawn to God. 

Lord fill me with your Spirit. Help me to hear your voice and to live faithfully to your commands. Show me Lord how live counterculture for you. Lord may I reflect your love so that others are drawn to you. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Written by Christine Knight