Culture of the Kingdom
Today’s Topic: The Apostles’ Doctrine: The Danger in Reasoning
Scripture: Romans 8:5-10; 1 Corinthians 2:9-14
Greetings Kingdom Citizens
When we reason about these things that pertain to the Kingdom of God we run into complications in understanding but I want to take these two set of scriptures to show you the dangers in reasoning amongst yourself. The ways of the world are completely different from the ways of God. Let me give you a small example. Reason will say that the same object cannot occupy two different spaces at the same time. Now in the physical world that is true, but in the eternal that is not true. Now everyone who believes in Jesus Christ knows at the same time that each of us can be possessed by Holy Spirit in all completeness at the same time on Earth. But people who are not spiritually minded or for the most part unregenerated people will question how Holy Spirit can be in millions of people at the same time. Now if you are a Kingdom citizen and son of God then your mindset and decision-making influence comes from the eternal and not time. Now let me show you these two powerful scriptures to bring this home.
1 Corinthians 2:9-14 Revelation:
1 Corinthians 2:9-14: “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what knoweth the things of man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Spirit teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
So the things that pertain to God can only be revealed by His Spirit. Revelation only comes by the Spirit of God. Now before you were born again the only knowledge or remote reference to God you had was a type and shadow and primarily what you see from your parents, who should be displaying the character of the Father. Now the reason you need Holy Spirit abiding in you is so that Holy Spirit can teach you the things you need to know about God and his nature. The scripture here ends making the point that spiritual things to the carnal mind are foolish to the carnal person. They are foolish because understanding only comes through Holy Spirit because spiritual things must be spiritually discerned.
Romans 8:5-10 Revelation:
Romans 8:5-10: “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Now in this scripture we see that the carnal mind does not like God. Much like your soul can act independent to God. It does not really want to do the things of the Spirit , that is why you must bring it under subjection. The carnal mind does not know the laws of God because they are spiritual. Now I like how the scripture shifts. It says those who are believers are not IN THE FLESH BUT IN THE SPIRIT. So we are not governed by the flesh, we should be governed by the Spirit of God and bring our flesh and soul under the rulership of Christ. Well you may ask how do I do that? By hearing the Spirit of God and following His direction. When you make a conscious decision to be obedient and do the exact thing He is telling you to do then your soul and flesh come under the rulership of Christ. See when you think carnally and not spiritually then your thought can lead to death. Let me give you an example and allow Holy Spirit to give you direction.
I once was child whose parents took me to Disney World and Universal Studios. As a child I thought it was all fun and games and so I did not think nothing more than that. But now that I have come to have a relationship with Christ and Holy Spirit, now Holy Spirit shows me the things such as the witchcraft and the promotion of homosexuality that the Disney Company and Universal Studios does. Now to the carnal mind, I am a radical but through the Spirit I am given an eternal view to what is going on and this view shows you the spiritual side which is affecting and infecting youth. Can you imagine a children’s theme park promoting homosexuality and then your 4 year old sees this and ask you, why are two men or women kissing? Or do you ever wonder what are those chants and words they use in these movies (Harry Potter, Cinderella, Snow White, etc.) are or where they come from. Do not think that just because they are geared to children that they are innocent. The devil will not want more than to infect the children at a young age and desensitize them to the evil. But you have to choose which mind you will be lead by, your own or the mind of God.
At the Father’s Service,
Elder Calvin Calhoun Jr.
