Life is From the Spirit 

   “An unspiritual person is one who does not accept anything of the Spirit of God: he sees it all as nonsense; it is beyond his understanding because it can only be understood by means of  the Spirit.” (1 Cor 2: 14). 

   To have a better knowledge of God through study of scripture and theology is a good thing, but such academic learning without faith in God and a willing submission to His will cannot lead us to heaven.

   A person who may have extensive scholarly knowledge of God but who does not know Him spiritually will never see His heavenly kingdom.  To reach heaven they must have faith and faith is a gift from God through the Holy Spirit.  Without the Spirit they are lost even with all their study and learning.

   On the other hand, those who may have little academic knowledge of God, but who know the Holy Spirit within them will understand that God is all, in all, and that all exists because of Him.  They can grow in love and devotion to God; they can recognize Christ as their savior and mediator; they can experience the strength and understanding brought by the Holy Spirit.  They can look forward to eternity in His kingdom.

   A lifelong study of theology will not open the gates to heaven.  We must know and experience the presence of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit  within us.  “It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh has nothing to offer.  The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” (John 6: 63).