Our Great Teachers
By John Woodward
September 13, 1999
September marks the beginning of a new school year for students across North America. Our children, ranging from forth grade up to first year college, each had new teachers and classmates to meet.
When we remember the variety of teachers we have had over the years, some stand out as especially helpful, and others rate somewhat lower. Good teachers inspire willing students to learn the required lessons and grow toward their potential. I recall my forth grade teacher kept a tight reign on the class but helped me to progress with the three "r"s. I was also challenged by my high school band teacher, who took our new school's band from scratch to performing at university football "bowl games" in Florida and Texas before I graduated.
When we consider our teacher in the Christian life, we should focus on God and His multifaceted ministry to guide us in His grace and knowledge. The Father is our teacher, for He entrusted truth for the Lord Jesus to share with His disciples. As Christ testified, "My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me". (John 7:16).
The Son is also our teacher. Jesus was constantly teaching the twelve and the crowds: "... He entered the synagogue and taught. And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." (Mark 1:21,22). Christ taught through His person and actions as well as His words.
When He came to the end of His earthly pilgrimage, Jesus had much more to convey to His people, but this would be done through the ministry of the Holy Spirit whom He would send: "These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 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." (John 14:25,26, cf. 16:12-15; 1 John 2:27). The church has been blessed by His illumination from Pentecost onward (Acts 2).
The Scriptures are our unique textbook--God's written revelation which is fully adequate for our instruction in spiritual truth. (2 Tim 3:16,17). Yet there is SO MUCH in these 66 books of the Holy Bible! All of it is useful (Rom 15:4), but we need to interpret and apply it as God intends.
Bible students identify the way the Holy Spirit revealed doctrines progressively over the course of time as "progressive revelation". Teachings that are implicit in the Old Testament become explicit in the New Testament. For example, Paul testifies of further revelation he received concerning the nature of the church--how the Body of Christ is comprised of Jews and Gentiles as equal members in a spiritual family (Eph 3:1-7).
This leads us to the importance of identifying our special teacher in this age. This teacher's ministry is described in Titus 2:11-14 :"For the GRACE OF GOD that brings salvation has appeared to all men, TEACHING US us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age. . ." (Titus 2:11,12).
Why is it vital for us to learn from this teacher, "grace", instead of the law (as given in earlier revelation--Exodus 20) ? Passages such as the following show us: "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes."(Rom 10:4). "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under GRACE."(Rom 6:14). This theme is thoroughly developed in the book of Galatians.
So our principal teacher is the Holy Spirit; our curriculum is the whole counsel of God THROUGH THE PERSPECTIVE OF GRACE! (Acts 20:27). This perspective is elusive to those who have been raised with "performance-based acceptance" in the home or in a legalistic church. But listen, believers in Christ, YOU ARE ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED ONE!! (Eph 1:6; Rom 5:1).
J.F. Strombeck wrote of the centrality of grace as our teacher: "There is a great need for a fuller presentation of grace; not only of the truth that salvation from condemnation is entirely of grace, but even more of the truth that the very same grace which brings salvation also teaches the saved how to live 'godly in this present world'. . . All impartation of spiritual truth, all instruction, all reproof, all admonition, all exhortation, and all chastening are elements of the discipline by grace . . . It is therefore fundamental to recognize that all teaching of righteous living, to be effective, must not be grounded in law, but in grace. Any appeal for godliness not related to grace is based on a false premise." (Disciplined by Grace , p.6,7,8 ).
With such great instructors, every wholehearted disciple of Christ is a prized pupil.
Forgive us, Father, for being reluctant learners. We turn away from legalism and behold Your wonderful grace as our teaching principle. Guide us to say "no" to carnality, and rather to live soberly, righteously, and godly in these last days. In Your name, amen.
JBW
September 13, 1999 Vol. 2 # 37
notes: 3 "r"s = reading, writing, & arithmetic
The purpose of Grace Notes is to highlight the dynamics of abundant living as summarized in Galatians 2:20: "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (NKJV). Many articles are available online to freely use for personal ministry, newsletters, etc.. (To find an article by topic or key word, click "Grace Notes"/search.) Please pray for God's blessing on this internet ministry.
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