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TAUGHT BY THE SPIRIT

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, Cal. · Apr 2, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 14.

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TAUGHT BY THE SPIRIT.

By Wm. Covert

BY WM. COVERT.
ALL the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hid in the Father and Son (Col. 2:3), and through the Holy Spirit they impart of the same to their children. As stated by the apostle, we have received “the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” 1 Cor. 2:12. That wonderful wisdom by which Jesus was enabled to conduct his work without a mistake, and that righteousness which gave him victory over sin, all came to him through the Spirit. The reason assigned for the complete success of Christ’s mission is that “God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.” John 3:34.
His consecration was entire, and his faith was without question or doubt. Not one attribute of his nature was withheld from the Father. Not one atom of selfishness was allowed to darken his mind, and shut out faith and the light of heaven. There was therefore nothing to hinder the fullness of the Spirit working through him. Upon such a life, wholly surrendered to the interest of righteousness, the Father could bestow the Spirit without measure or limit. Therefore was seen in him “all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” Col. 2:9. The same fullness dwells in him still, and it is of this fullness that the believer receives. See John 1:16.
It is withheld from none, “but the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” 1 Cor. 12:7. Tho given to all, yet its workings are manifested in all the varied ways necessary to meet man’s needs. “There are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.” Mankind are differently situated, differently constituted, and variously capacitated; and God must in wisdom meet them where they are, and work for them as best he can under the circumstances in which they are found.
Among the first lessons taught the sinner by the Spirit is the knowledge that he is accepted of God by faith. This thought is expressed in these words: “After that ye believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest [part of purchase price advanced as a pledge] of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession.” Eph. 1:13, 14. It is this pledge of God’s love that gives assurance of a title to an eternal home. As soon as the believer is assured of an inheritance beyond the present life, the Lord prepares the way to teach him of its beauties. Thus the petition is “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.” Eph. 1:17, 18.
It is not the office of the teacher to do the work of the learner, but he is expected to lead and guide in the studies. So it is with the work of the Spirit. “When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth.” John 16:13. But every scholar should study hard, and apply himself diligently, under the guidance of the good Teacher. In this school the Lord has furnished the Bible as the text-book, while the Holy Spirit is the Teacher that guides in its study. Jesus says this Teacher “shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak.” John 16:13. It is not the design of the Lord to draw such attention to the Spirit as to cause the claim to be made that it is an independent, separate being, apart from the Lord. The heat, and the light, and life from the sun would not exist were it not for the sun; in like manner, there can be no Spirit of the Lord only as it comes forth from him. For these reasons Christ said, “He shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.”
And yet the Saviour would not have any one think for a moment that he works through the Spirit in any sense separate from the Father. Therefore he immediately adds: “All things that the Father hath are mine; therefore said I, that he [the Spirit] shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you.” John 16:14, 15. The Father and the Son use the same Spirit as an agent or medium of communication with man, because they are so wholly united in mind, purpose, and power, that they two act as one. They think, teach, and love as one, are perfectly joined together in one mind and in one spirit, so that there can not possibly be any disagreement between them on any point. And every lesson imparted to man by the Spirit is equally from both the Father and the Son.
The Christian learns no lesson of truth independently of the Spirit. It is in every thought and word and act of righteousness. It is both an abiding guest and a continual servant, “for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” Concerning the service rendered by the Spirit, Jesus said, “He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26. The beauty and the strength, the height and the depth, the richness and the glory, the sweetness and the love in any scripture are seen or known only through the teachings of the Spirit. It must be as constantly present with the Christian as the air which he breathes. “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matt. 18:20.
The child of God lives in the Spirit and walks in the Spirit. Gal. 5:25. He loves his brethren only through the Spirit. “For ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.” 1 Thess. 4:9. Also, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:35. A disciple of Christ is a learner of Christ, one who is receiving lessons from him. “But the anointing [Holy Spirit] which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you; but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” 1 John 2:27. The learner is required to study vigorously, yet the Spirit as a teacher will clear the mind and strengthen the perception of the one who applies himself in the ways of the Lord.
That the highest point of spiritual excellence might be attained, the apostle prayed, “That ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power.” Col. 1:9-11.
There is no limit to the Spirit’s ability to teach, only as man himself fails to receive the lessons. God on his part is able and ready to do for us far more than “we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” Eph. 3:20.
The marvelous possibilities which God stands ready to do for the believer through the Spirit appear not to be comprehended by man. God is willing to do far more by his Spirit than man seems ready to grasp by his faith. As all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are through the Spirit placed at our demand, let there be a fuller consecration of our whole nature, a wider opening of the mind, a more hearty drinking in of the thoughts of God. If there were a larger feeding in the rich pastures of his grace, there might be a much stronger people going forth to victory.