“For indeed we have had good news preached to us, even as they also did, but the word they heard didn’t profit them, because it wasn’t mixed with faith by those who heard” (Hebrews 4:2, WEB). “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life” (John 5:39-40, NKJV).

The Word has to be mixed with faith. God’s Word doesn’t hold salvation on its own. The Scriptures can’t save you; they aren’t enough. They’ve never been enough. We need to mix the Word with faith. Faith comes from hearing. The two go together. We need to hear God’s Word and we need to have faith in God’s Word.

Faith is a gift from God. It comes to us by the Spirit. We have to have the Spirit’s help to receive God’s Word and make it alive to us, to turn it into faith and belief and action. Don’t read the Bible to diligently read the next chapter, or to get your devotions done for the day, or to check off your reading list. Read the Bible to gain faith. Read the Bible to stir up belief in God that sends you out in faith to act on God’s Word. Read the Scriptures to gain life, not from the words on the page, but from the Spirit-breathed life in those words, that brings faith to life and brings life into our lives.