Galatians 3:24-25 “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.”
Many of us were glad to see that day of graduation from high school. Twelve years of learning and many said; “I’m all done with my education!” Others said similarly on the day they crossed the stage at their university. But was that really a true statement? Do we ever stop learning? Does it ever really stop?
I am truly thankful for the things that I have been taught: both the book knowledge and the ‘school of hard knocks’. When I got saved, I entered a school from which death is the only ‘graduation’… and even then, I just move to a different school of learning.
When I first learned of salvation, it was deeply convicting. I felt as if the weight of the world was on my shoulders. I saw for the first time, that the destination of my soul was Hell; a hell I was fully deserving of its punishment, payment and penalty. As the scriptures began to wear away my confidence in my heritage, my religion and myself; I saw clearly that Jesus Christ was worthy of all my faith and trust.
The Bible, the Word of God, began to be more than just a religious book to me. It was the source for so much more. It has brought comfort when my soul lacked. It has brought tears – both of sorrow and of joy. It has revealed more clearly than I have ever seen, the sin of my ways and the need for a right relationship with God on a moment-by-moment basis.
Every day, I come to read God’s Word and He never disappoints. I have found it interactive. I must bring a seeking heart and want to listen and learn. But I must also beware of that which can turn my heart.
The Galatians had their share of those who would take them away from the truth:
Galatians 1:7 “Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.”
Galatians 3:1 “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?“
Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
Galatians 5:7 “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?”
Perverters, bewitchers, entanglers and hinderers. Each are seeking to take us away. Each are working against the gospel – not for the gospel. Some are from without. Some are from within.
I have come to realize that I cannot put off learning – ever! I must learn to live AND live to learn. I must learn from mistakes and failures. Both of others and of my own doing. But the Word of God warns me that my ignorance of it can also be my undoing.
Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.”
2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
When I was first saved, I came upon this verse and it has helped me see the importance of learning and Who to look to for the truth.
Psalms 32:8 “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.”
I come to God’s classroom every day. My focus is not to get something for Daily Manna, but for me first. What is written here is of the overflow. I have come to realize that I can be carried away in wanting to be for others and miss what God has for me.
Those perverters, bewitchers, entanglers and hinderers are there at every turn to try and turn our hearts and minds after something other than what our Heavenly Father has for us.
How often have you read something in the Word of God only to find its application later in the day? I long for that every day because it shows me that I am getting from God, that which can be used for His glory every single day.
It is a perspective; a viewpoint that takes energy and focus everyday. I have found that when I put it into cruise control is when those that seek to turn me aside work the hardest.
Take what you have gotten today and tell someone. You will find that it not only helps those you tell, but you as well!
Daily Manna 