Connected, but not reachable

The unspiritual self, just as it is by nature, can’t receive the gifts of God’s Spirit. There’s no capacity for them. They seem like so much silliness. Spirit can be known only by spirit—God’s Spirit and our spirits in open communion. Spiritually alive, we have access to everything God’s Spirit is doing, and can’t be judged by unspiritual critics. Isaiah’s question, “Is there anyone around who knows God’s Spirit, anyone who knows what he is doing?” has been answered: Christ knows, and we have Christ’s Spirit. (I Corinthians 2:14)

There is no capacity for our 'unsaved' man to take in, accept, or use the gifts of God's Spirit. By 'unsaved' I mean the part of us designed for God's Spirit to dwell but is empty because we have not said 'YES' to Jesus. Once we invite Jesus to enter into our lives, forgiving us of our sins, and giving us new life in him, we are open to receiving his Spirit. With his Spirit comes all manner of 'open communion' with God. In other words, as our passage so aptly puts it, we are 'spiritually alive'. Jesus brings us into this place of open communion with God - there is no other way to enter into that union and there is no other way to stay connected to him than through Jesus.

Connection must be maintained, though. We might have a cell phone service, but if we don't acknowledge the bill timely with a payment, the service may be cut off. Our cell phone still exists, but the connection to the cell tower has been terminated. We didn't intend to ignore the bill - we just neglected it. In much the same way, the connection exists between us and God, but we have to maintain it. While there is not a 'fee' associated with this connection, we must take the time to maintain it. We aren't going to maintain it if we neglect time in his Word, not just reading it, but really digesting it, taking it to heart, and then asking God a couple of important questions with the passage we read. 

Here is an example of a study technique you can easily utilize to get the most out of your time in his Word. It might just help you to maintain that connection, deepening it as you learn from the time you spend with him each day. I didn't think of this method, but heard it shared in a sermon some time back. It was worth sharing for those who want to get into God's Word, but who haven't figured out how to accomplish that yet. When we begin to study God's Word, we may just find that we have been connected, but unreachable! Time to be both connected and reachable, don't you think? Just askin...

SPECK method:

S - is there a sin God is asking me to confess, avoid, overcome?

P - does this passage echo a promise I can hold onto as I go through whatever it is I am facing today?

E - can I find an example within this passage that either points out a pattern to exemplify or one to avoid?

C - what is God commanding within this passage?

K - did I gain any knowledge about God such as how he works, what he expects of me, or where he sees me heading as his child?