Word of God

<<God’s communication with humans>>

1/. Jesus is called “The Word, who was with God and is God”. He “took on the form of man” and died in our place (Mt 27:54; Jn 1:1-14). It is through Him, the living and enduring Word of God, that we have been born again (1 Pet 1:23).

2/. The Bible is the written Word of God, or the Scriptures. It is our guidebook for life – our Master’s ‘owner’s manual’ – not suggestions but directions about how He expects us to live. It is to our advantage to read and live by its principles for “Blessed is the person who

Obey it's teachings to be blessed

delights in the Word of God and meditates on it”, in contrast to those who find it offensive and find no pleasure in it (Ps 1:1,2; Jer 6:10). Jesus said, “Blessed are they who hear the Word of God and obey it” (Lk 11:28). Because it contains God’s instructions for living it should be the basis of diligent study and passionate obedience without compromise. If our traditions, theology or current way of living don’t line up with the Word of God, guess which has to change! All our beliefs and learning must be compared to the inerrant (without fault) truth of the Bible (Act 17:11).

God said, “I will not violate my covenant or alter what my lips have uttered”, therefore it cannot be cancelled or be unproductive but will accomplish what He has determined. In fact He watches over it to see it is fulfilled (Ps 89:34; Isa 55:11; Jer 1:12; Ezek 12:25). What God has promised He is able to perform, with every one coming to pass, not one has failed – with it recorded that Abraham was "fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised" (Josh 21:45, 23:14; Rom 4:18-21). As He is all-powerful (omnipotent) He has the ability to achieve this for He made and controls the world by His Word – “Nothing is impossible with God” (Lk 1:37; 2 Pet 3:5-7). This is my God – fully trustworthy and powerful!

When tempted, Jesus did not try to reason with the devil but quoted the Word of God to rebuff the attacks, saying “It is written…” (Mt 4:4,7,10). We are in a spiritual battle and human weapons are not effective in this realm. Human words are largely ineffective till reinforced with the powerful Word of God, so it is essential to read, study and memorize the Bible to be prepared (2 Cor 10:3-5). The Word of God, which is termed ‘the sword of the Spirit’, is part of our spiritual armour and can inflict injury on our opponent (Satan), when our prayers are directed to God (Eph 6:10-18).

When praying ‘remind’ God who “sent His Word and healed the sick” of His promises; “Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope…Sustain me according to your promise…” (Ps 107:20, 119:49,116). The Psalmist was in effect saying, I’m holding you to this commitment. So we too can pray, reminding God of the promises in His Word, “And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my Name…you will place your hands on the sick and they will recover” (Mk 16:17,18).

While there can be various interpretations and opposing viewpoints on non-essential issues within the Christian faith (which we can lovingly agree to differ on), hold tenaciously to the core beliefs. We are encouraged to correctly understand the meaning of the Bible truths (2 Tim 2:15).

When the Bible was originally written the Greek word ‘Logos’ referred to both Jesus and the total inspired Word of God (the meanings above). “Your Word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens”. Jesus said “…My Words will never pass away” (Ps 119:89; Mt 24:35). This is the ‘Logos’ – the eternal, unchanging counsel of God by which we will be judged. It is living and active…it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Jn 1:1,2, 12:48; Heb 4:12). A person’s willingness to know and put into practice the Word of God will have a direct effect on how God uses them. The religious leaders in Jesus’ time studied the Scriptures but failed to put the teaching into practice and connect with the one to whom the teachings pointed. While they ‘knew the rules’ they missed the Saviour (Jn 5:39). God's Word can only work in us to the degree we receive it. Our wrong attitude and inaccurate understanding prevent its message entering in and transforming us.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:16,17; 2 Pet 1:21). Just hearing its teachings and giving mental approval is

Do I let the Word change me?

of no use – “Do what it says” (Mt 7:24-27; Jn 13:17; Jas 1:22). There must be the personal application to “…meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it” (Josh 1:8). Read it, asking the Holy Spirit to “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law” conveying its message to your heart, enlightening your mind and then supplying the conviction to outwork it in your life (Ps 119:9,11,18).

Think according to His Word, affirm and confess it into your situation and over your life. It has the same authority as God Himself, who said, “Let there be…and there was” (Gen 1:3ff). The more we know of God's Word the more the Holy Spirit can use its truths to direct our daily walk.

As we live according to His commands we can claim the promises applicable to us. If we want to live in the blessings of the Bible, we must let God’s Word abide in us and live by its teachings (Jn 15:7). Speak the positive Word of God that brings release and victory, not doubt and negative statements that reflect Satan’s realm. Abraham believed God’s promise to him in preference to the impossibility in the natural world and his own reasoning and emotions (Rom 4:18-25).

Faith comes by hearing the Word of God and receiving its truth will set us free and make us holy as we apply its message (Jn 8:32, 17:17, Rom 10:17).

The Greek word ‘rhema’ refers to any spoken word believed to come from God, and quickened personally by the Holy Spirit who brings part of the ‘logos’ to mind for a particular situation. The safeguard for any verbal utterance or alleged ‘Word from God’ is for it be in agreement with Bible principles and commands.

The expression, ‘bring a word’ refers to a person sharing a short devotion or insight gained from the Word of God, while ‘getting a word’ is a verse being quickened in your heart.