Taught of God

I Thessalonians 4:3-12

"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication; that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; not in the lust of concupiscense, even as the Gentiles which know not God: that no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you:

for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; and that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing."

While Paul is writing to the Thessalonians regarding proper love, godliness, etc., when I read Paul stating that he didn't need to even teach them how to have brotherly love because they were taught of God, it made me stop in my tracks. Taught of God... how often do we allow ourselves to be taught of God?

Too often people are content to be lazy christians. Content to have a preacher tell them what to do, or their spouse, or their parents. But can we be taught of God?

We have been given great access to the word of God, which shows us God's character, will, desire for mankind, plan of salvation, hatred for sin, love for each one, etc.. The battle of our age isn't access to the word (or the Spirit), but stilling ourselves and our minds long enough to hear from God. Time to meditate on the word, seeking out it's beautiful harmony, and understanding the will of God.

Can you be taught of God?