By Revelation
1 Corinthians 2:6–16
These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:10
It is entirely possible that God could give an inspired writing and yet have that writing be unappreciated by us because we do not have the ability to identify with the things that are found there. It is why Paul can say, “No eye has seen, nor ear heard” (v. 9). Even if the words are spoken, even if the words are infallible, even if word by word they come from God, men still do not understand them. Something more is needed. So God in his grace and by the same Spirit that caused the Bible to be written also moves us to understand and accept what is written. If you are a Christian, you have this enabling by God’s grace, and it is on that basis alone that you can say, as Paul does in verse 10: “God has revealed to us through the Spirit.”
What has God revealed? What about the cross? Who would have invented the cross of Jesus Christ as the solution to human sin? Obviously, it would not have entered the mind of any Greek thinker. For, says Paul, they considered it foolishness. To think of the infinite God, the incorporeal God, becoming flesh and dying for us was incomprehensible to the Greek mind. The Jewish people too failed to think of it, for they failed to understand it even when the Lord came. The disciples whom he taught failed to understand it. It was only by the Holy Spirit that it came to them. And yet, what could be more simple—that God should find reconciliation between his love and his justice in this, that God himself in the person of his Son would die and by his death take the penalty for human sin? So God the Father punishes God the Son and thus saves the sinner. Simple? Yes, but also profound, and hidden until God reveals it unto us by his Spirit.
Or again, Paul talks about the church. I mention this because the church is the great mystery that has been hidden—that God should make unto himself one people from all walks of life and from all positions in society, mold them into one, and then should begin to work in that people so that Paul can say that we are fellow workers with God. Who would have guessed that? No one! Yet this has been revealed to us by God’s Spirit. It is simple, and at the same time profound.
The Holy Spirit, the emissary of the Lord Jesus Christ, his representative on earth during his absence from us, opens our understanding of such things which God has revealed. As we come to understand the Scriptures we come to know him better and to love him better. By the grace of God we may serve him better also.
Taken from Come to the Waters by James Boice ISBN 9798887790954 used with permission from P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg NJ 08865
Scripture quotations are from the ESV (the Holy Bible English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.