For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God know one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. 

          1 Corinthians 2:10-13

One of the greatest resources that Christians have at their disposal is the Holy Spirit, the very presence of God living within their hearts. And it is this resource, this gift of God, that allows us, as believers, to know Him in an intimate and personal way. Paul refers to this as “things freely given to us by God.” 

The concept of “revelation” is the idea that God has taken something once hidden from us and now made it known. Paul reminds us that “to us” these things have been revealed. Born again believers in Jesus Christ have revelation from God that the rest of the world is lacking. Certainly this revelation and knowledge of God is available to everyone who will place their faith in Jesus Christ, but when Paul says, “for to us God revealed,” he is referring to all Christians…the saved, the redeemed, the born again believers in Christ. We have spiritual knowledge that cannot be acquired through human effort alone. This spiritual knowledge is not possessed by the world and is exclusive to those who belong to Christ. It is impossible for us to know the thoughts of God apart from the Spirit. That’s why we do not boast in our own position rather we boast that we know the Lord and have received this spiritual revelation from Him by the Spirit (Jeremiah 9:23-24). This is an important distinction between those who live in the power of the Spirit of God and those who do not. We can know God and it is this revelation of Himself, coming by the Spirit of God, that allows us to live in intimacy with the Father and avoid a life of guessing, wondering, and speculating about the things of God. 

Paul uses the example that no one can truly know what’s going on in a person’s life, except that person, unless, of course, we ask. Equally, apart from the Spirit, we cannot know the things of God. When it comes to God, spiritual truth, and eternity, people guess all of the time, creating their own doctrine, while filling in the blanks with what they want rather than what’s true. But for Christians, we have left all of that behind. We now know, by the presence of God within us, what is true and what is not. For we have received, not the spirit of the world rather we have the Spirit of God living within our hearts, a gift given to every born again believer in Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38). God has freely given to us, not just the salvation of our souls, but His very presence and power that is at work in our lives. And the goal of all of this benevolence from God…so that we may know! And godly knowledge takes on two dimensions: knowing more about Him, as we study His Word, the Bible, and knowing Him, experientially! Walking with the Savior, talking to the Savior, and living our lives in service to the Savior…this is the Christian life! This kind of knowledge far transcends mere intellectual knowledge regarding doctrine. The Christian life is to be lived in the power of the Spirit, in the provision of the Spirit, and in fellowship with the Spirit. Paul reminds us that the new covenant is all about life and it is a life lived in step with the Spirit of God! (2 Corinthians 3:5-6) 

So as we are being filled, we now have an overflow with which to work (John 7:38-39, Ephesians 3:19). And we should be using this overflow to make disciples of all nations, to preach the gospel to all of creation, and to see lives changed for eternity (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16, Colossians 1:13-14). Our teaching and our preaching are not just done in the strength, effort, and preparedness of ourselves rather we are energized, motivated, filled, and enabled to speak the truth of God’s Word boldly and unapologetically by the Spirit that lives within us. We do not teach in words taught by human wisdom rather we are speaking the depths of the heart of God as He reveals Himself to us. Spirit-filled preaching, teaching, and declaring of God’s Word never comes back void. It goes out to the hearer and to those who have ears to hear, the result is eternal change of the heart, mind, and soul. There is an old adage that when the Word of God is preached in the power of the Spirit, people will either leave glad, sad, or mad…but never unchanged! 

As Christians, we now operate in a mode of “combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.” Notice that this kind of powerful living begins in the mind. Spiritual thoughts have to take place in our minds and hearts before spiritual words can come forth from out mouths. Consider the following:   

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove (know) what the will of God is, that which is good and  acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:2

Spiritual life begins at conversion but living in the power and presence of the Spirit of God requires our prioritizing the seeking of Him daily. And as we live in the power of the presence of God, walking with Him, and spending time in His Word, we begin to learn more and more about Him and our hearts and minds are transformed. Spiritual life begins at conversion but it is maintained, throughout our lives, by the spiritual life residing within us. In other words, the outward spiritual life cannot exist if there has not been an inward change. That’s why we are called to be renewed in our minds. We reject being conformed to the world, something that the world desires for us to do, rather we are transformed. And this transformation takes place in our minds. And only when we are truly alive inside, by the presence of God revealing Himself to us, can spiritual words begin to come forth from our mouths. Consider the following:

…that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised HIm from the dead, you will be saved…

        Romans 10:9

It is with our hearts that we believe, resulting in righteousness (right standing before God) but it is with our mouths that we confess Jesus as Lord, bringing about our salvation (Romans 10:10). An inward transformation of our hearts and minds, leading to our openly declaring the name of Jesus, and receiving the Spirit of God to come and live within our hearts…this is the salvation of our souls!

Things freely given…they are ours to enjoy in Christ, as we walk daily with Him, enjoying fellowship with His Spirit, and receiving the power that comes from a saving relationship with God!