Text: Romans 1:18–23

 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them;  for God hath showed it unto them.   20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead;  so that they are without excuse:  21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful;  but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.   22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.  

Friday, 2^nd August 2024

                            THE HOLY SPIRIT KNOWS THE THINGS OF GOD

Text: Romans 1:18–23

Memory verse: 1 Corinthians 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

Before the foundation of the world, God planned to bring believers into a relationship with Himself based on love. That relationship would only be possible, however, by the death of His Son on the cross to pay for our sin. These secrets of God's wisdom could not be worked out by human wisdom, Apostle Paul wrote that they must be revealed to humans to be understood and believed by us. How could we possibly believe such a thing, even if it is true? Apostle Paul now describes the means God uses to allow us come to faith in Him. It's not a mechanical process but through a person, whom Apostle Paul describes as the Spirit of God. God reveals the truthfulness of these things to us through His Spirit, making it possible for us to believe something we cannot observe with our own physical senses. Evidence can lead us towards God, but only faith and the Spirit can lead us to accept God.

If it is beyond the capacity of men, how can it be understood by any man, or how can you declare and preach it?  By a special enlightening of God's Spirit, with which whoever is inspired, can enter into the very secrets of God. There is nothing so secret and hidden in God, but the Spirit of God penetrates it. How does the Spirit Himself know these things? Paul describes the Spirit as being in constant search mode, searching even the deep things of God. The Spirit bridges the communication gap between us and God. He searches and understands what is spiritual and makes it possible for us to perceive it. Of course, the Spirit is God, just as Jesus the Son is God. Though three persons with separate roles, they are one God. We call this the Trinity.

It is only the Spirit of God that can reveal the counsels of God: these are the purposes which have existed in His infinite wisdom and goodness from eternity; and particularly what refers to creation, providence, redemption, and eternal glory, as far as men and angels are concerned in these purposes.  The apostles were so fully convinced that the scheme of redemption proclaimed by the Gospel was Divine, that they boldly asserted that these things infinitely surpassed the wisdom and comprehension of man.  God has in a certain way become manifest; many attributes of His, which to the heathen world would have for ever lain in obscurity, because the world by wisdom did not know God. These were now not only brought to light as existing in him but illustrated by the gracious displays which He had made of himself. It is the Spirit of God alone that could reveal these things; and it was the energy of that Spirit alone that could bring them all into effect, stamp, and seal them as attributes and works of God for ever.  The apostles were as truly conscious of their own inspiration as they were, that they had consciousness, and what they spoke, they spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

CGDS HYMN 5; SS&S 618:

YIELDED TO GOD, MY BODY SOUL AND SPIRIT

1. Yielded to God, my body, soul, and spirit,

Oh, what rejoicing fills my peaceful breast !

All, all is well : no doubt nor fear disturbs me,

While on His promise now alone I rest.

2. Yielded to God, reposing 'neath His shadow,

Sunshine and gladness round my pathway fall ;

Yielded to God, whose love dispels all sorrow,

He is my Refuge, and my All in All.

3. Yielded to God, my life and its devotion,

Yielded the service of each day and year;

Oh, what a peace pervades my every feeling !

Oh, what sweet visions on my sight appear !

4. Yielded to God, and in His holy keeping

My heart His temple evermore shall be ;

Yielded to God, in willing consecration,

Blessed Redemeer, I am lost in Thee.

 Prayers

1.  Holy Spirit, search out all things for me, even the deep thoughts of God concerning me.

2.  LORD God Almighty, show me what eyes have not seen and what ears have not hear by Your Spirit in Jesus’ name. Amen.    

3.  Pray for others in this regard.