THE THINGS FREELY GIVEN TO US OF GOD
1Co 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
1Co 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
1Co 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.
1Co 2:13 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.
1Co 2:14 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.
It is commonly believed among most denominations that our achievements, gains, prosperous lifestyle, and anything else we attain in our lives that brings us joy is oftentimes thought that it is God who gives us “these things.” And it is also commonly thought that the love of God is shown through what the person has, and they feel that by the acquiring of these physical gains in their lives that God is showing ‘favor,’ towards His beloved saint, and that they are truly God’s “anointed.” But as we can see in the verse above, God has revealed to us in His word all “the things” that He has given to His saints, and as we can plainly see through His word of truth, God has not promised to give us the physical “things” of this earth (health, wealth, relationships, and anything else of this earth), but it is the “spiritual things” that we are to “set our affections” upon.
Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
This is an important doctrine that we need to understand and appreciate, but unfortunately most are ignorant of this vital truth, and are ignorant to the “spiritual blessings” that we have that is “freely given to us of God.” And it is our ‘affections’ that needs a ‘make over;’ that is the “things” that we covet after, and the things we see as gains in our lives. But these things are a waste of time and an abomination in the sight of God, but “man’s wisdom teacheth” that “these things” are a blessing of God, and the more the saint has, it shows just ‘how blessed’ he really is in the sight of man. So just what are the “things freely given to us of God?”
Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Eph 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Ephesians 1:3-23 shows “the things” the “blessed” saint has been given of God, but just as God’s word says, the natural man looks at “these things,” as “foolishness” because man has taught that the “things of a man” are of a godly nature. Furthermore “man’s wisdom” also teaches that a person ‘is blessed’ if they can physically do something better than the average person. This includes things like sports, music, wisdom, and any other entertainment, or any other things that this world calls a person ‘gifted’ or ‘blessed’ because they have learned to master their craft, but we are told to compare “spiritual things with spiritual, because if these were truly a ‘God given’ talent, then these ‘gifted’ people would preform their craft to outright perfection (in other words; Michael Jordan would have never missed a shot) if this was a God given gift. It is this reason why most of these people ‘thank God’ when receiving praise and accomplishment for being so ‘gifted,’ but we must remember, God works in perfection, and by His word, and it is the things that He said He will do in His word that we must live by; not what man says about what God gives us today. Nowhere in His word do we find God saying that He will ‘bless,’ or give physical gifts to man in this fashion.
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Rom 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Rom 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Rom 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
It is “these things” (the glorious truths that God foreknew us, He predestinated us to be conformed to the image of His Son, He also called us, He also justified us, and He also glorified us) that we are to look at and come to understand that God the Father is “for us” while we are on this ungodly world, and when we fulfill our positions in the heavenly places as well. And just as verse 32 says it is all these “things” that God ‘gives’ the “elect” of God, but the only way one can see this truth would be to compare “spiritual things with spiritual,” but the natural man will say that God is ‘for you’ if you are not experiencing “the sufferings of this present time.”
Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Rom 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Prayer is thought of as the means for ‘asking and receiving’ the blessings of God, but we are told here in in Romans 8 that the Spirit (the words on the pages of our bibles given by the Spirit) ‘steps in’ and helps us in our time of need and gives us the motivating doctrine to be “more than a conqueror” in our time of need, but the natural man knows not what to pray for as he ought. It is man’s wisdom that teaches that prayer is a tool to gain God’s forgiveness of their sins, and the “things” that we need to complete our life, but this is not what prayer is about at all. Prayer is to be done according to “the will of God” and the things that He has given us, and our thanksgiving and appreciation for what we have been given “in Christ,” and we are to pray with supplication for others, and that is that they become strengthened by His word, and finally, our prayer life should consist of us letting our Father know how His word is/or is not yet working effectually within us as it is designed to do.
Mat 21:20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!
Mat 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
Mat 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
It is man’s wisdom that teaches that when the above verses don’t work for the person it is because they ‘don’t have enough faith,’ but this is an out-right lie and deception by men who mis-handle God’s word of truth. But when we trusted in the blood of Christ for the remission of our sins, our faith translated us from the “power of darkness,and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son,” but we don’t have enough faith to get our bills paid when we are in financial trouble? Well, not only was the Lord talking to His disciples and not us today, but we will see what the “all things” are that the Lord gave to His nation to “ask” in prayer.
Mat 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Mat 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
In Matthew 21 the disciples are going to go out and testify the gospel to mankind, and they were going to show the glad tidings of the kingdom as they went, so there were some things that they were to “ask” in prayer to confirm God’s word. But the nation itself as a remnant was told by the Lord what to pray for, and what things will be given unto them. Therefore, when Israel trusted in the good news of the Lord providing all their “need” in that kingdom, he understood that he did not need the things of this world, and gave all he owned because he placed his faith in what the Lord told him at that time. And as we can see, the “all things” are food, drink, and clothing, but this verse is also used to show how God gives the material things of this world as long as you ‘faithfully seek His kingdom,’ but this perversion of His word is taught as truth.
Php 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Php 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Php 4:10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
Php 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Php 4:12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Finally, the Apostle Paul taught the saints not to be so careful (full of care) for other things, and that they were pray according to God’s will making their “requests,” knowing that they were going to receive the “peace of God” in their sufferings that they were experiencing. Paul says that the saints have “learned,” “received,” “heard,” and “seen” by the doctrine working through Paul, and by that they should “think on” things that are “true,” “honest,” “just,” “pure,” “lovely,” and things that are “of a good report,” in their sonship lives, instead of being so ‘full of care’ for things they have no control over. But as Paul says, the “peace of God” instructed him how to be content regardless whatever suffering and persecution he faced, because he has “learned” that in all of the “things” that he went through, it was the word of the God of peace that ‘strengthened’ him, and Paul could “do all” the sufferings and persecutions with contentment because of what he learned and received of the Lord, and we too ought to possess a renewed way of thinking about “these things,” and all of the “things freely given us of God.”
Rod Jones