Monday, March 26, 2012

The Work of the Word

The Bible is the most powerful book ever written. It is the very voice of God for us to hear; the very words of God for us to learn. Consider the magnificent description of the Bible in Hebrews 4:12. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Unlike all other books (authored by humans) the Holy book of the Bible (authored by God) is an active entity. It “does things.” It accomplishes certain aims that God has directed.

1. WE ARE BORN AGAIN BY THE WORD
James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
It is an integral part of God’s plan that the Word of God is the “birthing” agent in salvation. Jesus said, “Ye must be born again” – that is done WITH the Word of God. We received NEW birth and became new creatures in Christ Jesus.
1Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

2. WE ARE SAVED BY THE WORD
1Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
When we do what the Word says, the first thing it will lead us to - is salvation. The conditions for salvation are repentance and faith. It is the Bible that brings us to both of those affirmations.
It tells us that we are sinners and that we cannot save ourselves. It tells us that our sin keeps us from a relationship with Holy God and that our sin will ultimately condemn us to eternity in Hell. We must turn from our sin – repentance.
Then, the Word of God clarifies that “faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” It is the grand message of the Bible that God sent a redeemer to bring us back to God. We must accept the offer of salvation in Jesus Christ – by faith.
The Bible leads us to the truth of the gospel that brings salvation.
James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

3. WE ARE CLEANSED THE WORD
Psalm 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
Reading, hearing and obeying the Word leads to a daily CONFESSION of sin. The repeated application of the Word on believers (and on the church) is a cleaning (purifying) agent to keep us clean from the blemishes of sinful behavior.
Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

4. WE ARE GROWING BY THE WORD
Jeremiah 15:16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.
The Word is more to us than just INSTRUCTIONS it is the very nutrition that fuel our life in Christ. It brings us the “joy and rejoicing” of living more and more like Jesus. Growing in the Lord develops within us an appetite for the Word. This appetite will grow to a CRAVING for the Word.
1Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

5. WE ARE SANCTIFIFED BY THE WORD
1Timothy 4:5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
Sanctified means “set apart for God’s use.” That is what every believer is supposed to be. We are not our own we are purchased by the blood of Jesus. Sanctification expressed in our life is an on-going process. It is “progressive growth in righteousness.” We are to be perpetually becoming more like Christ. This is accomplished by the Word of God – changing us from what we are to what He wants us to be. Jesus prayed for us in John 17:17 saying, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."

6. WE ARE ENLIGHTENED BY THE WORD
Psalm 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
We are living in dark days. There is a palpable darkness looming around us morally, ethically, and spiritually. The darkness eminates from the deception and errors propogated by the devil and consumed by a sin cursed human race. God’s Word (in its divine purity) provides spiritual light and clarity of understanding. It is the holy beacon of absolute truth. Our pathway is illuminated by the wisdom of God found in the pages of the Bible. Truth shines brightest in the darkness of lies and deception.
Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

7. WE ARE KEPT BY THE WORD (protected, secured)
Psalm 17:4 Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.
God’s Word gives WARNINGS for the paths of sin. We make choices everyday between right and wrong – what the Bible calls righteousness and UN-righteousness. The scripture also sharpens the contrast as being a choice between obedience to God or sin. Satan is always luring us to the wrong things, the sinful things. By immersing ourselves in the Word of God we are equipped to identify the lies of Satan and make the right choices. Following the principles and examples in Scripture will help protect us from Satan’s temptations.
1Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

CONCLUSION
The Bible is a “productive” entity; it executes desired objectives. It accomplishes good things in our lives when we read it, learn it, and commit to heeding it. The Scripture should never be viewed as a book to outline our religion. No! It is the book to nourish, equip and guide us through every aspect of our lives.
Proverbs 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

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