“I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework.” -Lily Tomlin, American actress, comedian,

Thomas Aquinas emphasized that while education and knowledge might reveal the nature of sin, no amount of learning can replace the healing effect of forgiveness and the transformative grace of God.

Socrates believed sin was a matter of ignorance or wrong knowledge. Many people have thought, even into the 19th century, that man’s real problem was a lack of education. When WWI came, it was called “The war to end all wars.” This spirit of intellectual optimism crashed to the ground because it was soon acknowledged that the more educated people were, the more sophisticated the sinners.

Jesus connected the knowledge of the truth, which comes from abiding in His word, with freedom from sin. True spiritual knowledge breaks the power of sin in a person’s life.

If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free…Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.” -John 8:31-32, 34

Rather than providing salvation, education deepens one’s knowledge of Scripture, history and the world, helping believers to recognize their need for God’s grace. During the incarnation, Jesus Christ the man grew in wisdom through a commitment to his Father’s instruction so that he could perfectly fulfill all righteousness.  (see Luke 2:52) 

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, 

Today, we are bombarded with knowledge, but help us have a head and heart for truth.  Enable us to give an answer for the hope that we carry and to share the gospel in words and action with those we meet. Amen 

Pray for teachers. Give thanks for those who have lovingly taught throughout the centuries in homes, churches, and schools.