I never learned anything until I got hungry enough to listen.
And, one of the most important things I learned about choosing to follow Jesus Christ is that, if I’m not willing to allow myself to be taught, then there’s really no reason to be a disciple in the first place.
Unfortunately, our congregations are full of men who’ve missed the memo that discipleship isn’t just some kind of title that’s been bestowed on them, but rather a commission that can only be discharged effectively if they learn to develop the necessary skills [1] to do it that way.
Skills must be both learned and refined.
It doesn’t matter if I’m a carpenter or an accountant or a disciple. I have to seek [or allow] the wisdom and counsel of experience through the spiritual gifts of other men to be able to perform in a way that matters.
My employer will normally choose to monitor the progress of skill development and reward or reprove as necessary in a timely manner.
And, in the same way, the Holy Spirit is watching me too.
But He isn’t just my spiritual “supervisor.” He’s the patient Teacher who can show me everything I need to know, having no character flaws or self-aggrandizing agenda. However, His teaching approach is unique in that He’ll never force me to listen to Him.
He’ll just wait till I have no other choice.
In his letter to all who were beloved of God in Rome, the apostle Paul wrote: “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” [Rom. 8:14] [my emphasis] [see also: Gal. 5:18-25]
The Greek verb ἄγω [â-gō], meaning to bring or lead, is recorded as a passive verb, meaning the subject is either receiving the action or responding to the action.
How are you responding?