INSPIRATION; WHAT IS IT.
By John Ap. Williams
It appears to the writer that the meaning of the word “inspiration” is not as well understood generally as it should be, more especially as it applies to God’s Holy Word. The following question was asked by a deputed minister to the flock of Christ, “Do you think all the psalms of David are inspired?” He also answers his own question, thus, “I do not think so.” Webster gives us this meaning to the word “inspiration,” “breath, influence,” and to the verb “inspire,” “to breathe into, animate, or infuse into.” The meaning of “inspiration” in 2 Tim. 3 : 16, 17 is “God-breathed.” It is there declared:— “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, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Tim. 3 : 16, 17. The truly regenerate child of God, therefore, has no business to think about these vital matters, but to affirm, and trust to the great searchlight, “God’s eternal Word,” to bear him up. “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God” (1 Cor. 2 : 12); and now, having no longer the spirit of the world, we cease to conform to the things of the world, but are transformed by the renewing of our minds (having the mind of Christ, 1 Cor. 2 : 16); “that we may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God” (Rom. 12 : 2). Having been brought by God’s love and mercy into this blissful condition, what is our most reasonable service?—To copy our divine Master by presenting our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God. Verse 1. Mark, that this reproof, correction, and instruction are for the man of God, in order that he may be perfected. Is it not necessary, then, that he should be inspired, or, in other words, have the Spirit of God breathed into him, to enable him to comprehend the inspired Word?—It certainly is; because “the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know them, for they are spiritually discerned. 1 Cor. 2 : 14. Are they discernible to the regenerate?—Most positively; God has revealed them to us by his Spirit, for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. Verse 10. To what extent do we find Scripture inspired?—All. Could we then debar any portion of the Psalms of David?—Certainly not. Our merciful and loving Father in heaven, in whom are all things, does not leave his trusting ones in a helpless condition, but reconciles us to himself by Jesus Christ. 2 Cor. 5 : 18. When man accepts this reconciliation, he enters, as it were, a new school, God’s Holy Spirit being the usher, the inspired Word, the corrector, reprover, and instructor, and Jesus, our loving Saviour, going before as our example, saying, “Follow me.” Let us delve, then, into this inexhaustible mine of treasure fearlessly, as all things revealed therein belong to us and to our children forever. Deut. 29 : 29.