"To you it has been given to know
the secrets of the kingdom of heaven,
but to them it has not been given."
Matthew 13:11
GIVEN TO KNOW THE SECRETS
God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. (1 Cor. 2:10). So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God (1 Cor. 4:1).
We speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began (1 Cor. 2:7). A man can receive only what is given him from heaven (Jn. 3:27).
TO THEM IT HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN
For you this whole vision is nothing but words sealed in a scroll. And if you give the scroll to someone who can read, and say to him, "Read this, please," he will answer, "I can't; it is sealed" (Is. 29:11).
Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people. They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people (Ez. 12:2). They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts (Eph. 4:8).
KNOWLEDGE OF THE SECRETS
Jesus said, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand (Lk. 8:10). Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given (Mt. 19:11). This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him (Jn. 6:65). No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day (Jn. 6:44). All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away" (Jn. 6:37).
KNOW THE MYSTERY OF GOD
In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see (Is. 29:18).
I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers (Rom. 11:25). God has chosen to make known the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory (Col. 1:27).
He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ (Eph. 1:9). My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ (Col. 2:2).
The anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit--just as it has taught you, remain in him (1 Jn. 2:27). You have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth (1 Jn. 2:20).
In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ (Eph. 3:4) and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things (Eph. 3:9).
I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that (1 Cor. 7:7).
Published: July 10, 2011 - 9:38AM
