More than the Scriptures are needed to bring a sinner out of darkness into God's marvelous light; namely, the Person and work of the Holy Spirit. It is only as He applies the Word that the conscience is pierced, the heart searched, and the will moved.
Perhaps someone retorts, "But did not Christ say in John 6:63 'the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life,' and does not that prove the very words of Scripture are life-giving?" Ah, go back to the first part of that very verse, "It is the Spirit who gives life"! We must not separate the Spirit from the Word. He is the Divine Agent, the Word is the instrument which He uses. On the other hand, we must not exalt the Spirit, to the detriment of the Word.
It is sadly wrong to say that, "Apart from the Spirit, the Scriptures are a dead letter." How can they be such when "inspired of God" imbued with His very "breath" or life! Well, then, since they are a living Word, will they not impart life of themselves? No! Let me use an illustration. The farmer sows wheat in his ground, it is good wheat, possessing a living germ. Will it "do its own work" and yield an increase? Not of itself, if there is no rain, there will be no grain. So the Seed of the Word may lie in the hearts of sinners, but until the Spirit descends as dew from Heaven, it never springs up into life!
[Arthur Pink]
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2 Timothy 3:16 ... All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Psalm 119:105 ... Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:130 ... The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
1 Peter 1:23 ... Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. ❤
