The Word

“Did you get the word?” Many a water cooler gabfest has started with this question. Someone has a bit of information that they feel certain no one else is privy to, and they want to share it. Information is power in today’s society. Those with “the word” demand attention – those without are relegated to spend their time trying to find their own piece of the information pie. This power has become even more evident with the boom in technology. One can now get information in seconds that would have taken weeks or months before.

Hebrews 4 (ESV)
¹²For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ¹³And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Have you ever stopped to think about the power of words? Communication is woven into the very fabric of our lives. The majority of recent advances in technology have centered on the ability to move information from source to consumer. All you have to do is watch the people around you. It is not at all unusual to see someone talking on a cell phone or entering information into their hand held computing device. We have discovered that it is not only the information that is critical; it is also the speed at which we can obtain it.

The writer of Hebrews reminds us that we have a source of information that transcends every bit of data that is available in the universe – God’s Word. This passage starts off with the declaration that there is power in the word of God. Notice that the writer describes this power as living. Almost six years ago, my pastor challenged the church to read the Bible through in a year. I took his challenge and it has changed my life completely. Yesterday morning, I started my fourteenth time through the Scripture since January of 2001. The numbers don't mean anything, but the fact that I am drawn to new verses or understand new truths every time I pick up His Word, speaks to the life that God breathed into this Book. God’s power transcends time and space, and so does His Word. The words God inspired are just as relevant today as they were the day they were written. Everything in the Bible has application to our lives.

Living power is just the beginning of the story. Scripture says that this word of God cuts deep into our being, exposing us for what we really are. What we need to understand is that we are the ones that are faced with what we really are – God already knows. Scripture points out where we need to seek forgiveness and guidance. Once we are convicted of our sins, we must put them under the blood of Jesus. We are just agreeing with Him that there is sin in our hearts.

The King James Version of this passage describes the knife as a two-edged sword – it cuts both ways. Not only does it convict us, it also protects us. In Ephesians 6:10-17, Paul describes the gear that we need to be prepared for battle with our enemy. He ends his description with two critical pieces – the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit. Without salvation, there is no way to stand up to Satan – you are already defeated. Unlike most implements of war, the sword is made for close combat. When the enemy has passed through all outer defenses, the sword is the only weapon left.

To effectively use the tools God has given us, we need to read the manual. Everything we need to know about living a life for Him is included in His Word. We just have to use it!

We serve an awesome God!!!!!

Proverbs 14
³³Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding, but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.