It is not necessary for you to be able to see something with your eyes to be able to accomplish a task. A machinist worth his salt can place his hands in the proper place without looking to keep them safe from moving parts with practice, a musician who has mastered his instrument does not need to look at it.
A mother does not need the lights on to be able to find her way to the crib that holds her crying baby late at night.
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
The Word of God must be preached or read for someone to come to the knowledge of salvation by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, for us in these days of grace, in the time of the Gentiles this is how the Almighty has chosen to speak to us. Not audibly upon the mountains or with His voice of thundering from above, but by His written Word.
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
But there is something more that some seem to have forgotten, it is indeed faith that comes by sight, that is, by the reading or hearing of His Holy words given to us in the Bible, but what they have forgotten is this.
“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:44)
My own father professed to have read the entire Bible through four times in his life, but his life did not reflect that of one born-again, neither by his words or deeds. This may be difficult for some to comprehend, but reading the Bible does not save a man. While Ephesians 2:8-9 is true, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” it is grace that saves us.
Yet it is also true that these words say, grace through faith.
The faith that saves is the unmitigated acceptance that the Scriptures speak truth, that Jesus Christ is indeed the only way to the Father, virgin born, died for our sins, raised the third day and now sitting at the right hand of God Almighty, being Himself God. The Holy Spirit reveals these truths to all men in some form or fashion for Romans 1:20 is also true.
“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”
We are saved by grace because by faith we believe, yet even the faith to believe is a gift of God, for Romans 3:11 is also truth. “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.”
Reading the Word of God can lead to salvation, but not unless the Father calls and chooses that person, and that my friends, depends on their response to His calling.
That mother who hears her child crying does not need the light on to find her way to her child, but those who have been crucified with Christ do. Without that light, without listening to the Holy Spirit as we study the Scriptures, we are no more than one stumbling around in the dark.
Those who read His Word, even as my own father did four times through, and do not believe in faith what they are reading will stay in that darkness for all of time.
“For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.” (Heb. 4:2)
Laws, traditions, moral conduct can, and many times do, take the place of faith, and although they know it not or simply will not admit it to themselves, these are the hypocrites, these are those who Matthew 15:8 is speaking of. “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” as well as 2nd Timothy 3:5, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
Faith indeed comes by hearing, but you know people who have heard the words of God, perhaps even read them for themselves where that did not bring them to repentance. This verse is for them, “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” (Romans 1:21)
For you I pray that your faith grows each time you read His Word, that this verse is for you.
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” (2nd Peter 3:18)
