John 7:14-15 Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught. And the Jews marveled, saying, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?”
In Acts 4:13 the Word of God tells us, "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus." Having read that, I ask these questions, "What is keeping you or me from preaching and teaching God's Word?" "Have we allowed man's opinions and standards to convince us that we are not capable of carrying out God's plan for our lives simply because we lack something man has decided we need in order to be qualified?" People marvelled at Jesus' teachings, because He had no formal education. Later men marvelled at how bold Peter and John were in proclaiming the Gospel. What qualified them to preach the Name of Jesus, and teach the Gospel? Did they have certificates and degrees from man made institutions? They did not. They were qualified because they had been with Jesus, and Jesus taught them the doctrine that came from the Father. As born again followers of Jesus we have the Holy Spirit, and we have access to the Word of God. If we choose, we can diligently search, study, and commit the Scriptures to memory. We can choose to allow the Lord to use us to teach and preach His Word. I am not saying that seeking an education is a bad thing. The Apostle Paul was an educated man and God used him in a great way. However, Jesus also used fishermen, men from different walks of life who were not educated, to turn the world upside down. I have known men who did not have "formal" educations; yet, God used them, and is using them, to be pastors, evangelize, preach the Gospel, and lead men and women to Christ. I say all this to ask us to consider this... "What is keeping you or me from committing ourselves to a life of service to God?" Do we want to be qualified to do greater things for God? Well, then it is time we stopped making excuses and started praying, studying God's Word and relying on the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of our hearts to receive the best education any of us could receive; a genuine understanding and interpretation of God's Word. He has provided us with everything we need to go out and preach the Gospel message and proclaim His Name, for His glory. Do not let man's opinions or man made qualifications get in the way of what we know God has called us to do.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).
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