Ye Have Received the Spirit of Adoption, Whereby We Cry, "Abba Father" - Part 1290

The apostle Paul wrote, "And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God, for I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." (I Corinthians 2:1-2)

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." (Romans 8:15)

Although we often think of Paul as being an apostle who had it all together, we learn here that Paul was human -- just like you and I. In this particular example, note that when Paul preached the good news gospel of Jesus Christ and His kingdom, he would (by his own admission) preach to audience(s) in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

"And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power ... [so] that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory." (I Corinthians 2:4-7)

Note that this was the same glory which "none of the princes of this world knew, for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." (I Corinthians 2:8) These would not have nailed to a cross this same Jesus, who is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)

But because the princes of this world did not know who they crucified on the cross -- Jesus, the Lord of glory -- we who believe in Jesus by faith, and continue on in His Word have received His wonderful gift of salvation.  As a consequence, we who believe on His name can enter into His freedom, His mercy and His grace.

Moreover, to those that seek Jesus and His righteousness, He reveals the deeper understandings concerning the mystery of God by His Spirit ... for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God. Indeed, after Jesus was taken up, He through the Holy Ghost gave commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:2)

[Note that this evidence denies some of the current presentations suggesting that certain heads of their respective religious institutions had a personal encounter or special revelation from Jesus after Jesus ascended. I Corinthians 15 declares who saw Jesus after he was buried and rose again the third day according to the scriptures, of which "last of all He was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time." (I Corinthians 15:1-8) Apostle Paul was writing here, but I digress.]

What it does suggest is that those who seek Jesus with all their heart, soul, mind and strength, will find the treasure their heart desires, and the Word will be opened to him or her so that the mystery of God can be understood. The mystery that was hidden in the bosom of the Father until the fullness of time -- in which God declared peace and good will to all men, before overshadowing Mary who would bring forth a holy thing.  (Luke 1:35; Matthew 1:20-23)

"For He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is His name." (Luke 1:49)

God manifest in the flesh. The Word that was with God and was God made flesh. He was in the world and the world was made by Him but the world knew Him not. He came unto His own but His own received Him not. (John 1:1-18; I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6)

Still, God is not the author of confusion. For what man knows the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knows no man BUT the Spirit of God. When we receive Jesus into our lives -- and thus, casting out the earthly spirit of this world -- we begin to know the things that are freely given to us from above. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

This is why it is written, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love Him."  (I Corinthians 2:9)

But this we do know. "For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that He may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." Praise Jesus.

Stand in the offering plate.