March 4, 2025

In Hebrews 11:3 nkjv, we read: “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible”   For about four decades I taught different levels of Christian Education [Sunday School]; Normally, I began a new adult CE class each fall. For the opening class, I would begin with the question, Do you believe Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth?” Much of the time, many in the class would look at me like I was throwing out a trick question… but this question is profound, I think. After a pause, I would say, “if you don’t believe this, then you will likely not like this class.” After all, why would anyone want to be in a class that would propose such an “unbelievable” thing? In the natural, that is. You see, there is nothing “natural” about the supernatural nature and ways of Yahweh.

The Apostle Paul says, “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Cor 2:14 nkjv

I think it is important to notice how Yahweh launches into His Torah… He gets right in your face and declares this authoritative declaration and proceeds with the creation narrative. I would say to the class, “if Yahweh can do this, He can do anything.” Everything else is mundane. What do you say?

Paul tells the Church at Corinth, “And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” 1 cor 2:1-2 nkjv   I think this is one of the most important perspectives one can have… it is the most significant understanding that the “natural man” must jostle with in his thinking… and as Paul notes above, such understanding is spiritually discerned. When one is born again, born of the Spirit, there is a bridge of divine passage that allows the faith that Yahweh gives each of us to apprehend the things of Yahweh’s Word. The message of the Cross is the ultimate message of all times.

Paul continues, in 1 Cor 2:9-12 nkjv:   “ But as it is written:
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
“Nor have entered into the heart of man
“The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

“But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.”

It was my desire for the CE class to know these things; I wanted them to understand what being “born again/born of the Spirit” really means. Paul speaks of the believer not receiving “the spirit of the world.” What do you think that is? I think we live in a society that is so consumed by the worldly spirit that there is little connection between most people’s thinking and Biblical truth. In fact, I’ll go so far as to say, without connection with Biblical truth, the mind of any person is incapable of relationship with a Holy God [Yahweh]. This is why Yeshua [Jesus] came into the world. The people of His day had the Torah [complete] and they had the Septuagint [Greek translation of the Hebrew text]. The also had a corrupt Religious society and treacherous leaders who hated the truth… they nailed it to the Cross… remember.

I will close this devotional with this warning… If you don’t know the Biblical truth, you are in great danger… of being deceived, and of being saved from the coming destruction that the Bible tells us of in the Revelation. Too many people claim to be “Christians” or “believers,” yet they still operate in the ways of the spirit of the world. This dichotomy of confusion is a devilish contrived affliction that can not be escaped unless one repents and comes to Yeshua for redemption [His way]. The challenge of the original question was… do you really believe Yahweh spoke the world, and all creation, into existence? Are you sure you understand this question? What evidence is reflected in your pursuits, words, thoughts, ambitions, lifestyle… you get the idea. The Apostle Paul says this:

“ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” rom 12:1-2 nkjv [And]

“But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” rom 10:8-10 nkjv

What is Salvation? You can read more about it [here].

Shalom, John