Confidence in the “Word” of God is the next foundational element of discipleship.
I have a hunch many Christians don’t fully realize just what is meant when it comes to the ‘Word’ of God. Certainly it is a term we use referring to the written Word, the revelation of God to man through the writings of inspired writers over hundreds of centuries in 66 volumes yet all in full agreement and which we commonly call ‘the Bible.’
The Word ‘Bible’ really just means a ‘Library’… a big collection of books. It is the root word from which we get the word ‘bibliography.’
But from God’s perspective the ‘Word’ of God is something much more! In fact, it is God Himself. Like the Love of God, the Word of God is God expressing Himself.
At creation the Bible tells us that God said “Let there be…” and then ‘poof!’ There was! God expressed His Voice and things were created — things which reflected His very Nature and Being (Gen. 1:1-31).
When it came to the creation of mankind, God took a more personal ‘Hands-On’ approach: He formed man from the dust of the ground, scripture tells us (Gen. 2:7). Then again, from His mouth, God expressed Himself, He breathed into man – a living soul.
When “the fullness of time” had come (Gal. 4:4-5) God sent His Son into this world. John describes it like this: he says “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). God expresses Himself in His Word which became flesh in His Son Jesus Christ. The author of Hebrews says of this, “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…” (Heb. 1:1-2)
James exhorts “…get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you” (James 1:21). If we want God to be at work in our lives we must receive His Word into our hearts and obey it. James adds…
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. (James 1:22-25)
Yes, the “Word” of God is God speaking to us. The Living Word, expressed in living things, reflected in nature, manifest in Christ, inscribed in the Bible, and deposited within our hearts. No Christian can be without it!
Want to learn more about the wonderful, living “Word” of God? Join us Sunday mornings as we study the video series “The God Who Speaks” in our Adult Bible Class. [10:00-10:45, Lincoln Baptist Church].
Are you interested in being discipled one-on-one in the fundamentals of new life in Christ?
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