2 Timothy 3:16-17 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.

Of what value is the inspired word of God if it does not inspire the reader? Verse 17 implicates believers in results based on profitable doctrine. Inspiration by virtue of definition is not inspiration without action, a doing.

James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Here is where things get dicey. Do you do the word of God merely because the bible says so, or are your actions inspired by the Holy Spirit who knows the will of the Father and tells you all things pertaining to those things you are called to do?

I agree that there are general commands upon which we all have a responsibility as believers to enact. Those commands are good will to all men. They encourage a consistent and dependable character upon which a lost and floundering world might see where they can turn for help.

Beyond that the perfect will of God expects those who are inspired in a moment when God’s perfect timing puts us in a place we can only call an appointment.

Acts 22:10 And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.

I want to do what I am told. Hearing the Lord in these specifics is difficult because it is not as simple as a man standing before you speaking. The Lord might speak to you in that way but the inspiration to act must be by the spirit and not the man’s personality.

How are you inspired?

Luke 2:25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

Men like Simeon amaze me. Just and devout are descriptions of a life that pleases God. We know little else of Simeon, his life, his family, his troubles, or his day to day habits. All we see is the results, a reputation worthy of admiration. He stands as a man blessed by the presence of the Holy Ghost.

He reminds me of Enoch who walked with God and pleased God. Nothing was said of Enoch except perhaps his lineage. How did he come to walk with God?

If I focus on these men and try and use that as proof that man can please God and walk with God apart from Christ, I place myself in a position of human effort and absolutely no formula for performance.

Amos 7:7-9 Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand. And the Lord said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more: And the high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.

So often we look to the plumbline of Amos as Christ being the upright example but leave off there forgetting the next verse. God has said in verse 9 that the ways of the past to come into relationship with Him are done away. “I will not pass by them any more” is reference to Exodus 33:20-23 where He placed Moses on the Rock and passed by Moses.

It is a sign of the end of the old methods and dependence upon Christ and Christ alone for relation.