THE THINGS WHICH GOD HATH PREPARED

1 Corinthians 2:9-11 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 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.

Verses six through eight serve as a very good introduction to the lesson text. There Paul compares the wonderful, soul-saving wisdom of God to the worldly wisdom that was so deeply rooted in Jewish tradition and Gentile paganism, that it could not comprehend, and accept, God's plan of salvation. How sad it is when the hearts of mankind have become so hardened that they refuse to accept the mystery of eternal salvation through the Son of God, which fulfilled Old Testament prophesy. How sad when the conscience of mankind is seared to such an impenetrable state, that their eyes cannot see, and their ears refuse to hear and obey God's call to eternal salvation, and forfeit all the wonderful blessings available to all people of the world, that have open and receptive hearts, and minds willing to receive God's wisdom as their own.

How sad it is to read, in God's holy word, about how most of the chosen nation of Israel failed to see, and accept, Jesus Christ as the Messiah, for whom they had waited for so long, by rejecting the prophesies of the God's inspired messengers. With their minds hardened by worldly, human wisdom, they failed to accept God's will, for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory (Vs. 8). As with Israel, all others whose minds are closed, God's wisdom remains a hidden mystery, and His New Testament instructions for attaining eternal salvation will never heard or obeyed. Only those having child-like, receptive minds are able to receive God's word as their own, believe it, and obey it to their fullest mental capacity. Only those that truly understand and appreciate the blessings of becoming His children are suitable to become heirs of God's blessings, and fellow heirs of heaven with Jesus Christ.

In Isaiah 64:4 we read, For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what He hath prepared for him that waiteth for Him. Although it is not word for word, this is essentially God's message that Paul quoted in the lesson text. He wrote, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. Combining the endings of both passages, it can be said, with even more emphasis, that the blessings God hath prepared await all that lovingly receive His will with open and receptive hearts - with minds that are not hardened by erring human wisdom.

God has revealed His will for mankind through His Holy Spirit. It was by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that the prophets of old, albeit a mere shadow, or pattern of things to come, foretold God's plan of salvation. With the fulfillment of these prophesies by the coming of Jesus Christ, God's plan of salvation was fully revealed. And, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, God's complete plan of salvation was revealed in the pages of the New Testament.

In His holy word God revealed that salvation is found only through His Son, Jesus Christ, and through Him, obedient Christians can find, and enjoy, eternal life and immortality (See 2 Tim. 1:9-11). The blessings found in the lives of obedient Christians on earth, and the hope of eternal salvation after life on earth comes to an end - these are the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. Much better that any man can express it, the Psalmist sums up this thought by saying, Oh how great is Thy goodness, which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee; which Thou hast wrought for them that trust in Thee before the sons of men (Psalm 31:19)!

The creation of the universe - human wisdom can only debate it! Likewise, time, space, eternity, the reason for the existence of mankind, life, death, and the hereafter - all are beyond human comprehension. Logical, scientific methods can be used to analyze and control the physical aspects of life on earth. However, the wisdom of mankind is useless in understanding the spiritual nature God's creation. Human sight and hearing cannot fully understand the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. These deep things of God are explained in His holy word. His Son, Jesus Christ provides the way to eternal salvation; His Holy Spirit provides the explanation, and by faith we should, yea, we must accept it!