1 Corinthians 2:9 English Standard Version (ESV) But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”
Why doesn’t God show us what He has prepared for us? Some have received knowledge as Paul reports in 2 Corinthians 12; “and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.”
Paul answers his plight simply with this line: “I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me ….. to keep me from becoming conceited.” That is Paul’s answer to his plight but we are not Paul. Our answers to why not could be different.
This is one of those hidden mysteries which we can only answer for ourselves. Paul’s answer will not fit my plight even if that answer is satisfactory to everyone else.
Proverbs 16:2 English Standard Version (ESV) All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.
It doesn’t matter what we think of ourselves, God knows us better than we know ourselves. It grieved Peter in his heart to have the Lord ask him over and over again “Do you love me?” It didn’t matter what the Lord was asking Peter to do, it was challenging Peter’s love that troubled Peter.
We say we love the Lord and the expressions of our love are in gratitude for the things God has already done for us. If we knew all that God has prepared for us it might change our motivations. It is so easy to lie to ourselves but we cannot lie to the all-knowing God.
Where in the great commandment does it say to love God for all that He will give you?
My answer to why not is to keep the motivations of my heart pure.
The verse you expounded on has always been interesting to me…I thought when I was younger, I had a handle on it, and as I matured as a Christian I found that it was Ezekiel’s “waters to SWIM in.”
On 2 Corinthians 12, I have always pondered the fact that Paul caught up into the 3 rd heaven records that he HEARD things that were unlawful (too awesome) for him to utter, but does not mention that he SAW a thing. I wonder if anyone has any help on this? Love your posts, dear, brother.
Love your comment Ron. Paul only addressed what he heard and does not mention if he saw anything. Does that fact that he didn’t mention seeing mean he was blinded to see things? I have to stand on the issues of what God addresses meditate upon and if a thing in not mentioned, do not allow my mind to make things up.
But now that you mention it, John saw things in Revelations. Considering the issues in Revelation I would have to admit seeing is harder to describe than hearing.
Thank you, dear brother…your reply is so important…”I have to stand on the issues of what God addresses, meditate upon and if a thing is not mentioned, do not allow my mind to make things up”. So many times I find myself reading into Scripture something that just isn’t there and I get myself into trouble later on. I remember Pastor Schmidt was teaching on the book of Ezekiel and when he came to Ezekiel’s wheels, he reminded us that when we get home to glory, then we will be ready to understand how the rotation is possible, and how Jesus could walk into the upper room through closed and locked doors, but now we are not equipped to understand it. Until then “we walk by faith, not by sight”! Thanks dear brother for the great discussion.