Because 1Cornthians 2.14 says the natural man can not receive or know the things of God, it might be said that he must be born again or receive divine enablement of some kind to know and understand and believe the things of God. I think we must distinguish between what a person must know and believe to be saved and what one can know and believe after salvation. I don’t think we should make demands on the unsaved that they can’t do—even loving God.
--No one knows the things of God but the Spirit of God, vs 11. So obviously, unless the Spirit has revealed something, no one would know. Man, naturally, can not know instinctively or intuitively, the mind of God. Special revelation is necessary to now what nature can not reveal.
This would include things like the 10 commandments. Yet the natural man can understand the 10
commandments. He can understand things
like “you shall not steal” or “you shall not murder.” These things are necessary to maintain a just
society.
--The natural man does not receive or knows the things of the Spirit, vs 14. Vs 6 speaks of wisdom spoken among those who are mature. 1Cor3.1-3 speaks of how the carnal Christian can't receive solid food. So how does regeneration help one accurately know or even know at all the things of God?
Often before one can know or understand a particular truth, they must understand something prior that will help them to understand. They must respond to what they have.
Those things that are for the mature may be foolish to those who are not or are not saved at all. There are things that the unsaved can believe and be convinced of, such as the law and sin, and judgment. The things that only the mature understand are things the immature (“babes” or “carnal” Christians) and unbelieving are not ready to receive. The wisdom of God is spoken among them that are mature, vs6.
The principle of "to him who has more is given, but to him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away" applies to both saved and unsaved. This principle explains a lot as to why people are at different levels of understanding concerning spiritual things.
--The natural man does not receive or knows the things of the Spirit, vs 14. Vs 6 speaks of wisdom spoken among those who are mature. 1Cor3.1-3 speaks of how the carnal Christian can't receive solid food. So how does regeneration help one accurately know or even know at all the things of God?
Often before one can know or understand a particular truth, they must understand something prior that will help them to understand. They must respond to what they have.
Those things that are for the mature may be foolish to those who are not or are not saved at all. There are things that the unsaved can believe and be convinced of, such as the law and sin, and judgment. The things that only the mature understand are things the immature (“babes” or “carnal” Christians) and unbelieving are not ready to receive. The wisdom of God is spoken among them that are mature, vs6.
The principle of "to him who has more is given, but to him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away" applies to both saved and unsaved. This principle explains a lot as to why people are at different levels of understanding concerning spiritual things.
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