KNOWLEDGEABLE BUT NEEDING TO LEARN AGAIN

 

Romans 15:14-16  I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another. I have written to you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. (NIV)
 

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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages

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Although we may know that something is true, it is not always easy to apply it in a new context. Neither is it always obvious how we should teach others. As Paul came to the end of his letter to the church in Rome, he wanted to encourage them - he knew that they already understood the essential Christian doctrines and were teaching one another. However, he also knew that unless the doctrine or grace was carefully explained in a logical way, they were at risk of being dragged off course by false teachers.

Also, they needed to be reminded of what was true; because it is so easy to presume that we know something and yet not fully to grasp it. Also, they needed to know that God's truth was not just for themselves as individuals, but must be applied within the context of a multi-cultural church. It is one thing for believers to have confidence in Christ for themselves; it is another thing to be able to relate with other believers, from different backgrounds, and learn to live in harmony together in a way that is sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

We should never be ashamed or affronted that we need to be taught, even if we think we already know it: only the arrogant despise the need to relearn what appears to be obvious. That is especially true in our fast moving world where we often face new challenges as we seek to live for Jesus. Although we tend to use habitual reactions to familiar problems, a new challenge should send us back to the essential doctrines in the Bible. We cannot simply surf on our experience; we need a living dynamic relationship with the Lord, and that will only come through a willingness to keep learning. And only people like that can teach others.

Prayer:  Ever-wise God. Thank You for teachers who have instructed me in Your Word, so that I may know what pleases You. I am sorry when I have been too proud to be taught again or too arrogant to admit that I do not always know how to put Your Word into action. Please help me to have a humble heart to keep on learning, and an open heart to keep on receiving Your Word. Please strengthen Your servants who teach me, and may I make their work a joy and not a burden. In Jesus' Name. Amen.