The Ultimate Teacher

Before I became close with the Spirit, I would read my Bible and think, I love God with all my heart, but this is a bit dry. The truth was, I was not asking the Holy Spirit to be part of my time of prayer and study. What I have discovered is that only the Holy Spirit makes the Scriptures come alive in my heart. Through His guidance, the Bible becomes much more than mere words—it becomes the very substance of life. In 2 Corinthians 3:6 we read:

He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life. (NLT)

Our “new covenant”—expressed through the Word of God—is not just a list of rules and regulations. Rather it is life itself, and in turn breathes life into those who are subject to its rule. We can only enjoy the fullness of this new covenant through the Spirit, because He is the One who reveals the awesome mystery of who we are in Christ (which is the message of the New Testament). This is why we must invite the ultimate Teacher, the Spirit, into our times of study.

Have you ever had a teacher who wasn’t passionate about what he or she was teaching? I have found those to be the worst classes. Getting through the syllabus is like suffering a root canal. Likewise, have you ever had a teacher who simply dislikes his or her students? What a miserable experience. The great news is that the Holy Spirit is passionate about revealing the mysteries of God’s Word, and He is also extremely passionate about you! His desire is to see you walk in every gift that Christ made freely available to you. If we ask and seek, He will faithfully reveal the mysteries of life to us.

Atmosphere and Presence

Unfortunately, it seems that we often try to walk out this amazing Christian life without the presence and council of our Guide. In fact, the Holy Spirit is practically a stranger in many of our churches today. We have unknowingly substituted atmosphere for His presence. It is almost as if we have discouraged the manifestation of God’s Spirit because a few individuals have responded to or attempted to manufacture His presence in a “weird” way.

Don’t get me wrong; I believe we need great atmospheres in our church services. There have been many necessary cultural changes in the Church over the last several years, and one of these has been an upgrade in atmosphere. In many ways, the Church has become more relevant and attractive to the world. I believe this pleases God. As Paul stated, “I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved” (1 Corinthians 10:33 NLT). We have done a great job capitalizing on individual creativity and the advancement of technology; some of the most innovative places I have been to are churches. The Body of Christ should be the innovators, the ones who are consistently driving creativity to new levels. But the Church will never fully step into her position of power, love, and authority on this earth if she does not invite the Holy Spirit into all her affairs. Remember, He is the senior partner in the relationship.