By John LaVier
Several years ago we heard one of the Lord’s servants make a rather remarkable statement. He said, “I would not give you my spirit, even if I could. Because if I did you would know too much about me.”
We can all appreciate the above statement, for each of us would undoubtedly shrink from having our fellow man know us as we really are. And yet God has given us His Spirit. Why? Because He wants us to know Him fully. He will hide nothing from us, for our greatest blessing is the knowledge of Himself. So we read:
“But as it is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.” (1 Cor. 2:9-11)
Verse 9 does not refer, as some suppose, to the wonders awaiting us in heaven, for that is not the subject. The subject is the deep and precious truths which God has for his full-grown children. Also, verse 9 should never be separated from verse 10. Many quote verse 9 alone and then conclude that we must remain in ignorance, but verse 10 says that the Spirit knows “the deep things of God” and He reveals them to those who are willing to be taught. These deep things are found in the Word of God, and we must study the Word in dependence upon the Holy Spirit and then He will make them known. Yet many of God’s people are like the Corinthians and lack the knowledge. Therefore, they must be dealt with as carnal instead of spiritual. They must be fed with milk instead of meat. Instead of the “deep things” their knowledge of God and His Word is very shallow. Surely this is inexcusable when God has given us of His Spirit in order that we might be illumined and instructed.
“Now we have received, not the spirit of this world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” (1 Cor. 2:12)
We have received … the Spirit which is of God. What a surprising and wonderful thing that God should have given to us His Spirit to bring us into communion with Himself and to open up to us His deep things. He could not have given us a greater gift. How much do we appreciate it? And do we indeed recognize the presence within us of the Spirit which is of God?
What moved Thee to impart
Thy Spirit from above,
Therewith to fill our heart
With heavenly peace and love?
‘Twas love, unbounded love to us
Moved Thee to give Thy Spirit thus.
