By My Spirit

John 6:63 (NKJV) - It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

I’ve heard many people say that they can’t understand the Bible. Let me agree with them. I can’t understand it either. That might sound a little worrisome from a Pastor and Teacher but reading the Word of God and trying to process it with our natural or fleshly mind will leave us half full. Jesus said, “The words that I speak to you are spirit…” Paul tells us in 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: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” The NIV translates “given by inspiration” as “God breathed”. The Word of God is more than just letters on a page it is spirit and to receive the fullness of The Word we must receive it through the Spirit. John begins his gospel “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Throughout Scripture God is telling us that to receive His best – the fullness of His truth and love we must open our spirit to His. It is only through the Holy Spirit that we are drawn to God. It is only through the Holy Spirit that we can know God and it is only through the Holy Spirit that we can understand His word. Reading the Bible without first entertaining the Spirit will never lead us into the infinite riches that God has prepared for those that seek Him. To mine the depths of God’s heart we must be guided by His Spirit.