Have you noticed that for good education people will travel far?
I think of people going off to college quite a distance from their parents’ home, be it in another city, county, state and even out of state.
Then there are those who are international students and foreign exchange students.
Some pick the university and colleges according to the program that interests them, such as a good Political Science program or Medical School.
Some pick the educational program based upon a good scholar or professor that teaches in that program.
Think about the money that’s involved with tuition.
Thinking about this should make us appreciate more the Holy Spirit.
John 14:26 teaches that the Holy Spirit is a teacher:
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
If there is anyone that can teach us life, God’s Word and also about God, it is going to be the Holy Spirit. Do you turn to His Word to learn from Him? Do you seek Him as your “Professor” who will teach you?
Yet we don’t have to go “far.” In fact, whereas in those other programs we travel to the university or program and seek out the good professor in office hours, did you realize the Spirit has taken the initiative to come to believers instead? Amazing!
Hear 1 Corinthians 3:16:
Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
He lives in believers. He lives in us!
Instead of a residency program to learn about God and how to live life well by traveling very very far to have the teacher name the Holy Spirit, the Spirit travels to us and reside in us! And that’s possible through Christ.
Study and read God’s Word knowing the Spirit is teaching. Pray to Him for help. And also thank God for the Spirit teaching us and the grace involved to teach us! Don’t take it for granted.
Love this post! I like the analogy you use here between traveling to a school of higher human learning to the Spirit as one who comes to reside in us for Higher godly learning.
Amen! True, Jim, we have the source of Godly wisdom and knowledge in the HOLY SPIRIT, who indwells in us to teach and guide (among others that He does). Thank you!
Grateful He indwells in us! The more I grow in the Lord and in the Word the more I am made aware of that Trinity involved with my salvation and sanctification. I know from our discussions in comments on both my blog and yours you too are very Trinitarian in your awareness! Were you always that way?
No. Actually, it was only in late 90s that I add the HOLY SPIRIT in the intro part of my prayer and few years later that I read a book on Him. It was only by reading the the entire New Testament in 2013 that I learned His role, partcularly John 16:8 and Romans 8:26. Yet, there are many things that I don’t know about Him. One thing for sure is that He is GOD just like JESUS and GOD the FATHER.
Amen! “He lives in believers. He lives in us!” Love it!
We rejoice in the Holy Spirit
Amen! So grateful for the many works of the Spirit including teaching us! One I don’t rejoice in much as I should is the Spirit convicting us (John 16:8). But as you said we rejoice in the Spirit and we should rejoice in the Spirit for that too amen? Including others being convicted when we evangelize. How did your Friday go?
It was reported that there was hardly anyone in the streets Friday. Perhaps due to the wild winds we are currently experiencing I wasn’t able to be there with the team but met up with them later .
How is the fire situation going ?
I am reminded of 1 John 2:26-27 we need the teaching of the Holy Spirit so we can discern false knowledge and teaching from God’s. I am thankful for the Spirit’s indwelling Presence!
An appropriate passage! How we need the Spirit for the Christian life and also Christians engage in theology! Of course His presence is more than just functionary, we enjoy Him and His presence too. Concerning our discussions about Paula, I’m wondering if you have heard of this book before? I found this to be the most helpful book I read in 2018 and also on this topic of a friend with terminal illness; I’m willing to order this to send to you for free too, not just pushing for book purchases https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2018/11/19/review-loving-your-friend-through-cancer/
I will def look into this book, thank you so much! I live three hours from Paula and I haven’t heard from any family yet today. I don’t want to be a pain but I also want them to know I care and would like to visit. Thank you for your prayers and support! Nathan and I are praying for you and your peeps!!
This is a great way of describing the role of the Holy Spirit, very effective. Just along the road from me is St. Andrew’s University which has a huge amount of US students every year.
That is amazing!
Excellent wise counsel, a needed reminder of our Wonderful Counselor. Man’s academia grows more godless and corrupt but our Teacher never changes.
May we grow deeper in our knowledge of God and walk in His truths.
Thank you brother SlimJim!
Thank you for this post. Yes, the Holy Spirit teaches us all things. Glory be to God.
Wow! What an excellent perspective on the “availability of/access to” the Holy Spirit. Yes, what great lengths college students will go to be in a good program and learn under good professor. Thanks for helping me think about and appreciate the ministry of the Holy Spirit in a new way.
Thanks! Was thinking of this point and analogy earlier this week and thought it would be a good post! Lots of driving to the doctors today?
RE: doctors
Thanks! Actually no doctor visits the last couple of days so I didn’t get a chance to dip into my reading materials as much.
Thank you, Jim. I am grateful for, and would not be in full fellowship with our Lord except for the full ministry of the Holy Spirit. Conviction is the first step that brought me to repentance and faith in Christ. Even in judging our sins and His conviction, He comforts and leads us through this life and makes us an example for others. Blessings upon all who are born of, walk win, and are led by the Holy Spirit, sent from the Father only to His children.
I enjoyed this discussion Jim. Regardless of our education for a career, God comes to us on His terms. What a blessing!
Unfortunately, people use John 14:26 to avoid learning from pastors and good Bible-based teachers. ‘I don’t need that, I have the Holy Spirit to lead me!” I’ve seen it frequently when people are posting their opinions that are heterodox or even heretical, and they even reject Scripture itself. This comes from truth out of balance as well as cherry-picking verses to support an opinion.
When the New Testament was written, teachers would travel from place to place and students would gather to hear them. Yes, the Holy Spirit still comes to us instead making us come to him. He is present in the Bible, and especially when people gather around the words of the Bible. J.
Good reminder!
[…] Moving Far Away for Good Education and appreciating the Holy Spirit as Teacher […]
Wow thank you for sharing this perspective!! As a uni student, this is definitely something I need to be aware of, is the Holy Spirit my teacher first, or my textbook/professor.
Wow what is your major as a university student?
I’m going for a degree in Business management/HR