COMPARING SPIRITUAL WITH SPIRITUAL
The Cross was a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Greeks for they viewed it as an offense and a sign of weakness and failure. Yet, the Cross is wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. The Cross reveals the cost of our salvation and the Resurrection demonstrates its power. Because of rebellion and spiritual blindness, those that are perishing cannot discern this marvelous plan of salvation. While they measure the Cross by natural standards, Paul exhorts them to compare spiritual things with spiritual things (1 Cor. 2:13). The consequences of evaluating the work of God in Christ by natural standards such as popularity, prosperity, and sociopolitical success is damaging.
The idea of evaluating and assessing the significance of Divine activities by wrong standards is most interesting. For example, the success and relevance of the Church is often measured by its popularity, prosperity, congregation size, and buildings. Yet, there is the possibility that such standards may be erroneous in the economy of God. While not excluding such achievements, there is the possibility that factors such as discernment, foresight, wisdom, knowledge, integrity, compassion, spirit dynamics, global awareness and persuasiveness may also be significant. That is, the ability to know times and seasons and respond properly are critical. The power to influence the natural, to comfort and to enlist trust may be significant. In essence, the standards of evaluating spiritual activities and functions may reside in a different set of values.
This idea of "comparing spiritual things with spiritual" may apply to every aspect of our lives. If we believe that the life we live is not simply our own and that there is a degree of Divine involvement in our choices of occupations and careers, then the standards of evaluating personal success and relevance may be different. Indeed, material success, popularity and personal satisfaction are important but are they foremost? Could there exist other standards that are more important?
The idea of comparing "spiritual things with spiritual" can enable us to properly evaluate our lives and careers. This is especially true when our pursuits and life choices are Divinely inspired. Such careers are spiritual things and demand spiritual evaluation lest we abandon them because of false standards. When the financial and material factors are lacking, there are other factors. These include Divine guidance, deliverance, provision and favor. When these Divine activities are present there are material benefits. While speaking at a large gathering of entrepreneurs and leaders, I was asked repeatedly about motivation. The questions focused upon careers and life choices and personal benefits. Many among the group were considering changing careers and life choices because of the lack of material benefits. Each of them believed that there was a "Divine factor" in their original decisions. They were persuaded that the Lord had directed them in their careers. However, they were not as successful as they desired. I asked if there had been signs of the guidance, favor, deliverance and provision of the Lord in their lives. They all acknowledged that the Lord had kept them; given direction, favor and counsel; and delivered them from challenges. I challenged them to reconsider their future plans with the thought that the Divine favor, guidance, deliverance and provision were indicators that their original choices were correct. Furthermore, if they continue their pursuits the personal material benefits would come.
Paul's message of comparing "Spiritual Things with Spiritual" is wisdom to us all. It is an admonition to continue in our careers and life choices with the knowledge that the favor, guidance, deliverance and provision of the Lord are indicators that our choices are correct. Be not weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap for we will not faint!
