OUTLINE:
“the LORD has not given you”
Anything “spiritually appraised” (1Co 2:14) requires God’s intervention, by/through grace. Without this grace, we don’t have “eyes to see, nor ears to hear” (Deu 29:4) the Truth, even though we may read it and comprehend it in a natural way.
Mt 11:15
“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Mk 4:9
And He was saying, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Mk 4:23
“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Lk 8:8
“Other seed fell into the good soil, and grew up, and produced a crop a hundred times as great.” As He said these things, He would call out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
“the LORD has not given you”
Anything “spiritually appraised” (1Co 2:14) requires God’s intervention, by/through grace. Without this grace, we don’t have “eyes to see, nor ears to hear” (Deu 29:4) the Truth, even though we may read it and comprehend it in a natural way.
1Th 2:13
For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.
1Pe 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Col 3:5a [ESV]
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you…
Gal 5:24
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
John Newton
Obedience is the best test of sincerity; feelings are various, transient, and often deceitful; but a broken, humble spirit, and an upright walk, evidence the finger of God; other things may be and are often counterfeited.
Where Our Treasure Is…
Natural man values physical things (e.g., life) over eternal (e.g., salvation). A believer in Christ values eternal life and the Kingdom of God over all else. (1Ki 3:5-14; 1Jn 2:15-17)
1Ki 3:9 [ESV]
Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”
Conscience
If you want to enjoy the blessings of possessing your OWN convictions borne of a good conscience, you MUST begin by acquiring the Word of Truth!
“gold refined by fire”
Most likely refers to righteousness and/or faith, ala “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). In other words, take in the Word of God!!! That is Christ’s good counsel.