PROFITING FROM SCRIPTURE
(week 25/13)
OLUBI JOHNSON
2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Here, God by the Holy Spirit, tells us through Paul that the scriptures are profitable.
Why?
The scriptures are inspired by God: written by men but dictated by God!
Just like letters you write may be typed by one of your staff but you dictated what is in the letter: the thoughts and words in the letter were chosen by you, not your staff.
Since the scriptures are God-breathed, they contain the wisdom of the God who created ALL things: consequently, it will be profitable to access this divine wisdom through the scriptures.
In fact the scripture declares that:
1. The reality of all the good things God has planned for man in Christ are coded or hidden symbolically in the scriptures as types and shadows.
Hebrews 10:1 NIV: The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.
Colossians 2:16-17 NIV: Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. (17) These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
2. God’s plan for every human being is coded symbolically in the scriptures.
Revelation 22:19 KJV: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Colossians 3:3 NKJV: For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
3. ALL the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden encoded in Christ: the living Word Who is revealed through the written Word.
Colossians 2:2-3 KJV: That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; (3) In whom are hid ALL the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
John 1:1-4 AMP: IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. [Isa. 9:6.] (2) He was present originally with God. (3) All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being. (4) In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men.
Psalms 119:130 NKJV: The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.
It is the PERFECT WILL OF GOD that we profit from scripture because:
Isaiah 48:17 NKJV: Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go.”
The incentive to profit is divinely given to man by God; and all creativity and innovation that leads to profit is inspired and led by God. So, any system of Government that removes the incentive to profit, will cripple creativity and innovation: this is why Communism failed.
So then how do we profit from scripture?
1. Personal habitual daily bible reading and study.
Proverbs 2:6 NKJV: For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
Acts 17:11 NKJV: These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
2. Regular (weekly) hearing of anointed apostolic and prophetic teaching that opens up the hidden types and shadows in scripture.
Nehemiah 8:7-8 NKJV: Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law; and the people stood in their place. (8) So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.
Psalms 36:9 NKJV: For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.
Isaiah 8:20 NKJV: To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
3. Habitual daily prayer in the spirit to draw out from God by the Holy Spirit the deep wisdom of God.
1Corinthians 2:7 NKJV: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,
1Corinthians 14:2 NKJV: For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
Proverbs 20:5 NKJV: Counsel in the heart of man is like DEEP water, But a man of understanding will draw it out.
1Corinthians 2:9-10 MKJV: But as it is written, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,” nor has it entered into the heart of man, “the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (10) But God has revealed them to us by His Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the DEEP things of God.
Psalms 42:7 MKJV: DEEP calls to DEEP at the noise of Your waterfalls; all Your waves and Your billows have gone over me.
1Corinthians 2:13 AMP: And we are setting these truths forth in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the [Holy] Spirit, combining and interpreting spiritual truths with spiritual language [to those who possess the Holy Spirit].
The types and shadows hidden in the scripture are the ‘alphabets’ of the language of the Holy Spirit, which when combined according to the spiritual rules of ‘spelling’ and ‘grammar’ of the spirit will tell us what God is saying to us as revealed in
James 3:17 NKJV: But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
So, God can use the scriptures by the Holy Spirit (Mt. 22:29) to reveal to us His plan for our lives and ALL the treasures of wisdom and knowledge that we will need to fulfill our destiny and purpose.
