More training

I talked to person about a week ago about repairing the newer automobiles.  He said that when the newer, more electronic, vehicles came out, he was frustrated. He knew the fundaments of how motors, transmissions, and guide systems worked, but he no longer understood all the details because some had become electronic. He could not diagnose or work on the difficulties he began to encounter. Frustrated, he enrolled in some training courses to learn how the new designs worked. While he still didn’t have much of the sophisticated equipment needed to completely diagnose many problems, he had enough knowledge to avoid servicemen who wanted to take advantage of his ignorance. He continues to learn more all the time. As we talked, I thought about the struggles encountered by the Jews when Jesus arrived on earth. While their understanding was incomplete, they thought they understood how to serve God. When Jesus arrived, everything changed. They were confused as the new pathways were being learned. It was like someone pulled a veil over their understanding. Paul tells the Corinthian Christian Jews something similar. He said, “But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” – 2 Cor. 3:16-18 (ESV). When the mechanic returned to school to learn how the new systems worked, he was no longer confused. There remained some things he could not do, but he understood better the workings of the new automobiles. A similar thing happens when a person decides they need to understand more about how to please God. His greatest desire is for them to accept Jesus for what He was and what He did. When this happens, not only are they cleansed from all their previous sins, they begin their own individual unique spiritual journey. This journey is a teaching process called dedication to God or sanctification. This is a period of continued guidance, “to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” - Acts 26:18; “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.” - 2 Tim 2:21; “But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.” - 2 Thess. 2:13 (all from ESV).  As each person is guided (retrained) by the indwelling Holy Spirit, they will learn both how to avoid further disappointments to God and how to help others on their own individual unique spiritual journey. The twists and turns, up and downs on these journeys will be somewhat different, but they both share the same Holy Spirit who led Jesus along his journey. At the end, they will both hear the desired, “Well done good and faithful servant,” - Matt. 25:21 (ESV) as they enter into eternity with God.