Yet, God’s purpose for all believers is to teach and reveal His word to us for our profit, progress and spiritual growth. He “teacheth”and“leadeth”us in the path of righteousness, as we listen and obey His words. Then, He will fulfill His promises to feed us “with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock.”
Unlike men’s teachings that have limited benefits, God teaches us His way of righteousness that results in definite change of life and character. “And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.” As we receive His word and obey, He establishes us in righteousness and frees us from oppression, terror and conspiracy, so, we can enjoy His blessings, wonders and promotions. Being the Author of the Scripture, God teaches us salvation, sanctification, faith, spiritual power, among others, for our profit, so, we can be “perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
Some people allow unbelief to hinder their spiritual profit and progress. Though they hear the word of salvation, holiness, faith and power, it does not profit them because they do not receive it with faith. “…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.” Whilst they may be intelligent in market and finance, society and community, political ideas and current affairs or may understand intricate things in their academics, they are dull of hearing when it comes to the knowledge of God and His word. They appear in God’s presence, but their minds are far away from Him. Such people cannot benefit from His word due to their “evil heart of unbelief,” the deceitfulness of sin, self and Satan.
There are people who were consecrated when they first knew the Lord, but are now inconsistent and impatient in His presence to learn from Him. They are always in a haste to return home from spiritual gathering because of ephemeral, unprofitable things. If we are going to benefit from the Lord and His word, we must maintain consistent passion, pursuit, consecration, excitement and brokenness of heart till the end.
People whose hearts are not totally focused on God’s word cannot make spiritual progress. Being double-minded and often distracted by the things around them, they hold on to superficial doctrines that cannot take them to heaven. They may give loud testimonies, make high declarations and know great promises in the scripture, but their hearts are far from the Lord. “Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men.”
Such people who perpetrate evil in the dark, hide their ways, plans and actions and ask: “Who seeth us?” never benefit from the word of God. They are “ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” that sets free from sin, evil, transgression and satanic influence. Only sincere seekers who expose their lives to God, ask and pray for total cleansing that can profit from God’s word. If we must benefit from the teachings of the God’s word, we must be saved, sanctified and remain obedient to God and His word.
• Further reading (King James Version): Isaiah 48:17,18; Psalm 81:13-16; Isaiah 54:13-15,17; 2 Timothy 3:16. Hebrews 4:1,2; 5:11; 3:12-14; James 1:8; Jeremiah 2:13; Isaiah 29:13-15; Ezekiel 33:31,32; 2Timothy 3:7.
