Why Some Can or Can't Understand

Scripture: And God has actually given us his Spirit (not the world’s spirit) to tell us about the wonderful free gifts of grace and blessing that God has given us. In telling you about these gifts we have even used the very words given to us by the Holy Spirit, not words that we as men might choose. So we use the Holy Spirit’s words to explain the Holy Spirit’s facts. But the man who isn’t a Christian can’t understand and can’t accept these thoughts from God, which the Holy Spirit teaches us. They sound foolish to him because only those who have the Holy Spirit within them can understand what the Holy Spirit means. Others just can’t take it in. 1 Corinthians 2:12-14

Observation: Paul explains one of the primary purposes of the Holy Spirit as this ... it is God's spirit which can live within us, and thus provide us direct insight into the heart and mind of God. It is by the Holy Spirit we can perceive his love, understand the salvation achieved by Jesus, find purpose to serve others, and even find the words needed to communicate all of this to others. And it is by that same spirit that others can understand those words, seek a deeper relationship with God, and thus fully receive the Holy Spirit themselves.

However, Paul warns that those who aren't Christian - those who not just are ignorant, but who have rejected faith - can't understand. They reject the inroads of the Holy Spirit, and thus God's own words about love, hope, faith, and salvation, cannot be understood. They sound foolish to them.

Application: I had not thought about it before, but this is a clear sign of those who are not just ambivalent or ignorant about Jesus, but have in fact heard and considered the gospel and actively chosen to reject God and Jesus ... they declare that the message is foolish. They probably even use harsher terms, actively describing Christians as anything from ignorant and deluded, to hostile, judgmental, exclusionary, and even dangerous.

They feel this way because they literally cannot view God and his message of salvation in any other light. They are incapable of understanding it. Their decision to fully isolate from the Holy Spirit's initial help in understanding creates not just a problem, but a kind of barrier. They cannot "accept these thoughts of God."

When I hear someone not just say they aren't Christian, but make declarations about the foolishness of Christianity and/or opposes the church itself, it is a sign that person is beyond uninformed. They have - with intent and thought - made a different eternal choice.

Prayer: Lord, there are so many people who will not accept your love and your free gift of salvation. I know you weep for them far, far more than I do, for you love them so deeply even in their rejection of you. You are an amazing, loving father, and I cannot fathom how it must grieve you. May I help ease that by being part of finding those who may someday accept you. Amen.