Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 2:14-16.

“But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him;  and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.  But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one.  FOR WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM?  But we have the mind of Christ.”  1 Corinthians 2:14-16.

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Like an appraiser knows the value of things, we know the value of those things freely given to us by God through the Spirit who is from 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,”  1 Corinthians 2:12.

“But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him;  and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.”  Verse 14.

For example, if the natural man understood the value of Christ, “they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;”  1 Corinthians 2:8.

“Then the LORD said to me, “Throw it to the potter, that magnificent price at which I was valued by them.” So I took the thirty shekels of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the LORD.”  Zechariah 11:13.

But, we, who have the Spirit of God, understand the value of Christ “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”  Colossians 2:3.

We, who have the Spirit of God, understand the value “Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,”  1 Corinthians 1:30.

We, who have the Spirit of God, understand the value of the fruit of the Spirit which is “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;”  Galatians 5:22-23.

“More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,”  Philippians 3:8-9.

In conclusion, the parables of the treasure hidden in the field and the one pearl of great value show us the importance of understanding the value of spiritual things.  

“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again;  and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”  Matthew 13:44-46.