The Teacher

 

 

"Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come.   This is how we know it is the last hour.  They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us.  For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.  But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.  I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth.  Who is the liar?  It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ.  Such a man is the antichrist- he denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.  See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you.  If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is, what he promised us- even eternal life.  I am writing  these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray.  As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you.  But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit- just as it has taught you, remain in him."  I John 2:18-27

 

When Jesus was  preparing to depart this earth,  he encouraged the disciples to remain in Jerusalem until they were imbued with power- with the promised Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:4)  We need the Holy Spirit in our lives for so many things.

When the disciples walked this earth with Jesus, they were able to observe him,  learn  from him, and hear his opinions and theology.  When he was leaving, he knew that they could not do the job he had for them to do on their own.  If they were going to carry out the Great Commission, they needed a mentor, someone to walk beside them as Jesus had done.  Thus, the Holy Spirit was sent as companion to the New Testament Church (and for modern believers as well).  He comes to teach us and make us holy.  He is the Real Deal.  He knows the heart of the Father and he knows the Bible through and through.  What better teacher could we have?

When interpreting Scripture we must always interpret it in light of other Scripture.  Other places in the Bible, we see the importance of teaching within the Body of Christ, so much so that the office of the teacher is one of the "five-fold ministry" gifts.  Instructions are given to teachers, and if the disciples were to follow Jesus' example of reproduction, they would have to tell people the Good  News of the kingdom, then disciple them on how to follow.  They would become teachers  to the new convert.  So what does this passage mean when it says you do not need a teacher?  There is no human that can take the place of the Holy Spirit in your life.  No matter who instructs you, you still need the anointing from the Holy Spirit to discern the Bible.  It is spiritually discerned.  Furthermore, no person can be with us at all times and in all situations.  But Thank God (!) the Holy Spirit can-and is- always  with us.  He can tell me don't say this, don't do that.  He can show me when some teacher is teaching me things in contrast with the truth of the Word of God.

You need the Holy Spirit's anointing for everything in your life.  He is available to help us have godly marriages, relationships, businesses and testimonies.  Listen to the Teacher, he will show you the path to walk in!

Thank you, Lord, for providing a companion, a teacher and an imparter of power into my life.  Help me to have a teachable spirit and to receive all that you have for me.  Thank you for the Holy Spirit.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

Sherri