1st Corinthians 2:12 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. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 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.
This passage is of critical importance to us and it should be understood fully, in order to keep us from going to extremes in any direction. The current problem that we have in the world of Islamic extremists, is because of the tendency to place a literal interpretation on everything written in the Quran. And the same is true of Christians who place a literal interpretation on everything written in the Bible. There are some passages of scripture which are to be taken literally, while there are others that are to be understood spiritually, and knowing the difference is very important, and can only be accomplished if the Spirit of God is allowed to guide us into all truth.
In our passage for today the apostle Paul teaches us that one of the ways in which we can know the difference, is by comparing spiritual things with spiritual, meaning that any passage must be interpreted with God's character in mind, and also by studying other passages which treat on the same subject matter. For instance, when Nicodemus came by night for an interview with Christ, The Lord told him that he must be born again. Upon hearing this the carnal, literal side of his nature kicked in, and he asked a question that stemmed from a literal interpretation of what Christ said, which could not possibly be the meaning that Jesus had intended. Let's read:
John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
Christ must have been referring to something else other than the conclusion Nicodemus had drawn, for the instruction of Jesus could not even be literally carried out, and furthermore there were many people whose parents had died long ago, and so they would automatically be excluded from God's salvation, if the interpretation of Christ's words were to be taken literally. Again, in the invitation to the gospel, as given in the parable of the Lord and His servants, the instruction is given to compel men to come to the banquet feast. But Christ did not intend that the servants should now go out with a baseball bat and force unwilling minds into compliance, for this method would not be in harmony with God's manner of working, and therefore cannot be taken literally. Let's read:
Luke 14:16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse" ... 23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
Using the method of interpretation recommended by Paul would then prevent those servants from spanking the unwilling invitees into submission, for when the command is compared with another similar passage, it is seen that God respects the freedom of choice He has given to each person, and thus the use of force in the conversion process is thereby strictly prohibited. Let's read:
Luke 9:51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, 52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. 53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? 55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. 56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
Whenever we are in doubt as to whether a passage of scripture is to be taken literally, or understood spiritually, let us always remember Paul's instruction to us, to compare spiritual things with spiritual, by studying line upon line and precept upon precept. In this way if we are led by the Holy Spirit, we will be guided into safe paths, and would thereby be saved from going to extremes in any area of our religious experience. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which confirms this very point, and it is the will of God that our Christian experience be characterized with fine balance and common sense, that God's name would be glorified and that people will take knowledge of us that we have been with Jesus. Let's read:
Isaiah 28:9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine?" ..... 10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!