Loving the Word of God (#4)

Introduction

I. Illumination & the Mind

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 12:14

Illumination is understanding that the realities about God, man, sin, and salvation in Jesus Christ (revealed in the Bible), are true and relevant to ME and everyone else on earth.

“The Spirit…opens and unveils our minds and attunes our hearts so that we understand (Eph. 1:17-18; 3:18-19; 2 Cor. 3:14-16; 4:6). As by inspiration He provided Scripture truth for us, so now by illumination He interprets it to us. Illumination is thus the applying of God’s revealed truth to our hearts, so that we grasp as reality for ourselves what the sacred text sets forth.” J.I. Packer

• Verse 27, Make me understand the way of Your precepts, and I will meditate on Your wondrous works.
• Verse 29b, graciously teach me Your law.
• Verse 32, I will run in the way of Your commandments when You enlarge my heart!

II. Illumination & the Heart

The illuminating work of the Holy Spirit engages our affections, not merely our intellects.

Conclusion