Where do we learn truth? In the classroom or in life? And what truth do we learn?
Let me develop a thought without saying “this is the answer” but which I hope will be as provocative to you as it is to me. The thought of the following text has been washing around in my mind the last couple of days concerning the Holy Spirit teaching us.
(John 14:26 NKJV) “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 things that I said to you.”
Of course, any information that confronts us we receive from our reservoir of previous knowledge. When I think of the Holy Spirit teaching me, I reference a teaching situation, such as when I go to a Bible study, I may learn a new concept.
I wonder if when we read “the Holy Spirit. . .will teach you all things,” we hear the Holy Spirit will teach me new concepts and abstract truths about God and about life. We associate learning with a concept and a classroom, notebooks and high-lighters. How many times have we heard that was a fascinating study? Yuk! How about a life-changing study? God associates learning with living words and life experience. The Holy Spirit teaches us all things as we live God’s truth.
An example:
(Romans 13:8 NKJV) Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
When I was a junior at Moody Bible Institute, the Holy Spirit taught me this concept, this abstract truth. My debt to society is to love the people around me. I won’t go into a detailed analysis, but the context of Romans 13 is one of the Christian’s duties and responsibilities in society at large.
This abstract truth absolutely captured me, dominated my thoughts. But then I began living this truth and the Holy Spirit taught me so much more than the original concept had brought to mind. “Owe no one nothing except” became more of a doorway to a changed perspective. It became part of life on the way to more life, something else. Grasping the abstract truth was not the destination.
As I lived this truth the Holy Spirit led me far beyond the initial concept. One thing I did was I decided to not ask people how they were if I werent willing to take the time to listen or didnt care. Another was a determination to not pay back insult for insult, or evil for evil.
Another example: Are you lost, dummy?
At Moody I studied piano, so I was at times in the music building. Moodys music program was prestigious and most of the people in it were very talented and advanced. I met Sam one day in the hallway in the music building. Sam (name changed to protect the guilty) was a voice major. He asked me What are you doing here? READ: Are you lost, dummy? Or what would a person like you be doing in such a special place like this? Yes, Sam was more than a little sarcastic and hateful in his comment.
Enter the Holy Spirit quickly handing me the abstract truth owe nothing but love and exit a patient explanation on my part. I lived those words as the Holy Spirit taught me in a specific situation, and as I found a newfound peace, strength and perspective I tasted something of the goodness of God that the abstract truth in itself cannot supply.
Not owing anything but love allowed me to not compete or challenge, and I saw Sam differently than I would have. I got to know Sam better over the next couple of years; Sam had some jealousy issues behind the curtain that I was able to see and rather than exploiting I was able to understand his struggle in a better way.
Pulling back the curtain, behind the scenes
How many times have I walked through the doorway owe no one anything except to love and stepped into a greater and greater trust in God. The Holy Spirit kept the lessons up as I would bring out this truth again and again. I began to see behind the scenes in the lives of other people because I identified more with them; my empathy and sympathy quotients grew.
The Holy Spirit has continued to teach me that taking a blow for the love of God brings the healing and strength of God into my life.
Gods words are concepts and abstract truths, but they are so much more. Its more than the difference between claiming the truth in the owners manual but never driving and enjoying your new car.
And what about that claiming business? But anyway thats another day.
