Taught By God

8-1-2012 by Boyd Bailey “Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.” 1 Thessalonians 4:9 God the Father is a tender teacher of truth to His children. God the Son, Jesus, is a teacher who taught with clarity and authority when He walked on earth. And God the Holy Spirit is a teacher who reveals to the heart of humans the hidden secrets of heaven. Indeed, followers of Christ have access to the Almighty’s academic understanding of His ways. Wise servants of the Lord stay enrolled in His school for a lifetime of learning. If we cease to learn from God, we cease to grow in our faith and obedience. We remain a student as we remain in Him. We learn the language of heaven as we learn to listen to the Holy Spirit’s promptings in our heart. We comprehend Christ when we first receive Him, by faith, into our life, as we study His life, and as we seek to emulate His example. “It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me.” John 6:45 The Lord’s lessons are learned by a series of tests. Sometimes we are surprised by a pop quiz of trust. Other times we face an extensive exam on suffering. Or, it may be the daily opportunity to attend Christ’s classroom of obedience where we grow in our understanding of the ways of God. We can skip class in our own strength, or we can stay disciplined to the process of surrender to the Spirit’s filling. Humility looks to always learn from God. Yes, some lessons are harder to learn than others. But wise are we to stay engaged in seeking to understand so that we can grow in grace. A lesson learned invites other options, but refusing to accept God’s truth keeps us stuck in our stubbornness. Yet, as we learn from Jesus, our soul becomes humble, gentle and restful under His intoxicating influence. “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29 Love is the Lord’s primary lesson plan. The principles of love begin at the elementary level of loving God and progress to the graduate course of loving your enemies. How well do you love? Are you learning from Jesus how to love like Jesus? Your curriculum in love includes: Unconditional love, brotherly love and romantic love. Therefore, be thorough in your studies of Christ. You get an A+ when you learn and apply His truth. “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24 Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach me Your ways. My heart is to be a faithful student. Related Readings: Isaiah 54:13; Jeremiah 31:33; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 1 Peter 2:21