III. IlluminationWe have already stated that without inspiration, no Scripture would have ever been written.

We may now claim that without illumination, no sinner would have ever been saved! Illumination, then, is that method used by the Holy Spirit to shed divine light upon all seeking men as they look into the Word of God. Illumination is from the written word to the human heart.

B. Results of illumination 1. Sinners are savedThe Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: the Lord loveth the righteous (Psa. 146:8). The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple (Psa. 119:130). 2. Christians are strengthenedAs newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby (1 Pet. 2:2). But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God (1 Cor. 2:10). For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 4:6). Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Psa. 119:105).

A. The reasons for illuminationWhy is this third step necessary? Why cannot sinful man simply read and heed the biblical message without divine aid? 1. It is necessary because of natural blindnessPaul writes of this: But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned (1 Cor. 2:14). Our Lord also commented on this during his earthly ministry. And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jonah: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven (Matt. 16:16-17). 2. It is necessary because of satanic blindnessAgain we note the sober words of Paul: But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not (2 Cor. 4:3-4). 3. It is necessary because of carnal blindness (Heb. 5:12-14; 1 Cor. 3; 2 Pet. 1). 4. It is necessary (in the case of Israel) because of divine judicial blindness. (See Matt. 23:37-39; John 9:39; Acts 28:2527; Rom. 11:25.)

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Matt. 4:4). But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name (John 20:31). These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so (Acts 17:11). Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby (1 Pet. 2:2). 2. The Holy Spirit often seeks out the aid of a believer in performing his task of illuminating the hearts of othersThis is seen: a. In the ministry of Philip to the Ethiopian eunuchAnd Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? . . . Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus (Acts 8:30-31, 35). b. In the ministry of Paul, to the Jews at ThessalonicaAnd Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures (Acts 17:2). c. In the ministry of Aquila and Priscilla to ApollosAnd he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly (Acts 18:26). d. In the ministry of Apollos to the Jews at CorinthFor he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ (Acts 18:28).

C. Implications of illumination 1. The Holy Spirit looks for a certain amount of sincerity before he illuminates any human heartWe are quick to point out sincerity is not enough to save anyone. However, it should be also noted that it is equally impossible for an insincere person to be saved. This first implication is brought out in several passages. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Heb. 11:6). God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Furthermore, it should be stated here that no Christian should ever look upon illumination as automatic. That is to say, God has never promised to reveal precious and profound biblical truths to any believer who will not search the Scriptures for himself. Note the following admonitions: