1 Corinthians 2 : 10-16 (NRSV)
...these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God’s except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual.
Those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are discerned spiritually. Those who are spiritual discern all things, and they are themselves subject to no one else’s scrutiny.
"For who has known the mind of the Lord
so as to instruct him?"
But we have the mind of Christ.
Daily Byte
The mind of Christ. What an incredible thought! Does this mean that we know everything that God knows? Clearly not - our knowledge of the world is still so limited, and there are parts of the universe we have never even seen. Does it mean we never make mistakes, or we always have exactly the right assessment of what’s going on? Again, experience shows us that this is not the case. So, what could it mean that, by God’s Spirit, we have the mind of Christ? It must be related to the fact that Jesus is the truth, which means that as we follow Christ, and allow the Spirit to teach us to live out the Gospel of God’s reign, we get God’s perspective on the world. We think of justice and mercy, neighbours and enemies, the earth and its wealth from a Gospel viewpoint. We no longer think of truth as a set of ideas, and we no longer follow truth according to ‘popular’ opinion. Rather, we recognise truth as a way, and we embrace that way as Jesus did, understanding the world, and relating to it, as Jesus did. And this is the ‘mind of Christ’ that offers us truth.
When have you experienced seeing the world, or a specific situation, from a new, God-oriented perspective? How has following Jesus helped you to understand the world better, to relate to other people better, and to live in a more meaningful way? How does it feel to think of this ‘mind of Christ’ that is developing in you? In what ways has worship helped you to receive this Christ-perspective? How can you be more intentional in allowing God’s Spirit to teach you through worship?
Pray As You Go
It’s your world, Jesus,
and I can’t understand it,
I can’t find my way in it,
I can’t act, or interact effectively,
without you
I need your mind, Jesus,
your perspective,
you example,
your Spirit,
if I am to find abundant life,
and share it with others.
Amen.
Today’s devotion is taken from Rev John van de Laar’s outstanding book ‘The Hour That Changes Everything: How worship forms us into the people God wants us to be.’ Used with permission
To order copies of this book and for other superb worship resources visit http://www.sacredise.com
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