Without the Scriptures, we can also never hope to know anything about the Lord Jesus. He said Himself, “The Scriptures…testify about me” (John 5:39). According to A.W. Pink, “Apart from the Scriptures, (Jesus) cannot be known. In them alone. He is revealed” (34). We know that we are profiting from the Word if these several truths shown below, concerning Christ, become evident in our lives.
THE SCRIPTURES AND CHRIST
1) We know we have profited from the Word when our need of Christ is revealed.
In our society, we are taught from an early age to be dependant upon ourselves. Scripture however shows us our desperate condition and need of a savior (Rom. 3:10, 23; 6:23). Pink explains that through the study of God’s Word, “We are made to recognize that Christ is our only hope, and that, except we flee to Him for refuge, the righteous wrath of God will most certainly fall upon us” (36).
2) We know we have profited from the Word when we become more occupied with Christ’s perfections.
According to Pink, “It is a sense of need which first drives the soul to Christ, but it is the realization of His excellency which draws us to run after Him. The more real Christ becomes to us, the more are we attracted to His perfections” (37). We should often ask ourselves, “Is Christ the chief among ten thousand to (our) soul(s)? Has He won (our) heart(s)? Is it (our) chief joy to get alone and be occupied with Him?” (38).
3) We know we have profited from the Word when Christ becomes more precious to us.
Were there is a detachment from Christ; there is usually a deficient understanding of Him due to a lack of association with Him. When authentic daily fellowship develops, a believer should be able to empathize with the Psalmist who affirmed, “Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is non upon earth that I desire beside thee” (Ps. 73:25). Paul, who had as intimate a relationship as one could have with Christ, proclaimed, “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ” (Phil. 3:8).
4) We know we have profited from the Word when we have an increased confidence in Christ.
During His earthly ministry, Christ was most pleased with those who placed a firm reliance upon Him. In the story of the Roman Centurion who placed his faith in Jesus' authority, we are told that Christ “marveled” and said, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel” (Mt. 8:10). Of John the Baptist, who confidently proclaimed the coming of the Lord, Jesus said, “I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John” (Luke 7:28). According to Pink, however, “Christ cannot be trusted at all unless He be known, and the better He is known the more will He be trusted” (40).
5) We know we have profited from the Word when we have a deeper desire to please Christ.
We are not to live for ourselves, but for Him who died for us and rose again (2 Cor. 5:15). Pink says, "Love delights to please its object, and the more our affections are drawn out to Christ the more shall we desire to honor Him by a life of obedience to His known will" (41).
6) We know we have profited from the Word when we long for the return of Christ.
According to Pink, "Love can be satisfied with nothing short of a sight of its object. True, even now we behold Christ by faith, yet it is 'through a glass, darkly.' But at His coming we shall behold Him 'face to face' (1 Cor. 13:12). Then will be fulfilled His own words, 'Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am: that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me' (John 17:24)"(42).
Pink, A.W. Profiting from the Word. Carlisle, Pennsylvania: The Banner of Truth Trust. 1977. 33-43.
