THE MIND OF GOD: Through Christ

“For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.”  (1Cor. 2:11)

Most of the New Testament is not written about the future, but it is written about what God has already done through Jesus Christ and His atoning work at Calvary.

Purchased with His blood, and made available by His grace, we have access to every spiritual blessing contained in heavenly places, including the mind of Christ.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” (Eph. 1:3)

“For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” (1Cor. 2:16)

Since much of the Bible pertains to past events, many people believe that it is just an account of things that happened so long ago that it really doesn’t apply to their lives.

However, much like a gift forgotten under the tree on Christmas morning, if we don’t find it and open it, we can never enjoy it.

Many times, God has already provided the things that we think we need and they are waiting to be found, but we are unaware of them due to a lack of knowledge and understanding.

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” (Hosea 4:6)

Such was the case of the Israelites in the wilderness.

“Therefore the LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel; Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:” (Psalm 78:21-22)

The Lord had just delivered the children of Israel out of Egypt with mighty signs and wonders. He had divided the Red Sea so they could go through on dry ground and had caused the waters to return and drown the Egyptian army that was following them.

The Lord provided water from the rock for them to drink and manna from heaven for them to eat, but then they complained and questioned whether God was able to give them meat. The Bible says they “…trusted not in his salvation.”

They had no confidence in the love of God and the position of salvation that the Lord had placed them in.

Many Christians today are like the Israelites of old. They need to realize that salvation is not a one-time occurrence. It is not a prayer you once prayed or a commitment you once made.

Salvation is a removal from one place or position and an establishment in another. It is a state or condition.

“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:” (Col. 1:13)

The Apostle Paul had met the resurrected Jesus on the road to Damascus. He had seen the Lord in His glory and brightness. He received by divine revelation the truths that the other disciples had spent years learning as they walked with Christ.

Many Bible scholars believe that Paul was speaking of himself when he describes a man in Second Corinthians Chapter 12 who was “caught up to the third heaven” and heard “unspeakable words” which are “not lawful for a man to utter.”

Yet after all of this, and after a lifetime of service witnessing the miracles and power of God, he realized that he had only scratched the surface of the knowledge of Christ and His salvation.

That is why as an old man and towards the end of his life, he writes:

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” (Philip. 3:10)

It is our prayer that through the next few posts, and the Scriptures contained therein, we might begin to understand just a little more of what this great salvation has already provided for us; that like a gift overlooked, we might find it, open it, and rejoice in it.

“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;” (Heb. 2:3)

Next- THE MIND OF GOD: Our Portion

All twelve books in the “How to Walk Christian Series” by Raymond Candy are available now in one collection of two volumes for $6.99 each at bn.com for the NOOK, amazon.com for the KINDLE, on iTunes at the iBookstore for the iPad and iPhone, and at Lulu.com for the PC and all e-reading devices