The Word of Life
In some countries, Christians risk loosing their lives simply by owning a Bible. Why do they do it? Because the Word is Life to them. They are willing to risk death that they might take in more of the Word of Life. It has power in their lives, a grip in their heart, an effect on their walk. They witness boldly for their Saviour and take their energy from the true Vine, our Lord Jesus Christ (John 15:1).
I wonder, is it that way with me, in a land where Bibles are abundant, but apathy in relation to the things of God is just as abundant?
Christ is the living “Word of Life” (1 John 1:1). To separate the Scriptures from Christ is to separate His Person from what He says– impossible.
Oh, may we hold fast to the Word of Life! (Philippians 2:16)
The Word of Truth
If I did not have the Scriptures of Truth, I would not know who or what to believe. There would be no firm foundation for faith. Without hearing, there can be no believing: it is through the Word of Truth that salvation comes (Ephesians 1:13, James 1:18). “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17).
John, the man who leaned upon Jesus’ breast, at the close of writing Revelation said, “And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book” (Revelation 22:19). Certainly he placed emphasis on the written Word of God. Paul, the apostle of Christ who was dramatically changed on the Damascus road, said, “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord” (1Cor. 14:37), and, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work” (2Timothy 3:16-17 ESV). Luke wrote “that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught” (Luke 1:4 ESV). The Lord Jesus said, “I have given them Thy word… Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth” (John 17:14,17). See also 1John 2:7, Psalm 119 (to name a few).
The Word of God:
Our source of strength in temptation:
Luke 4:4- “And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.”
1Jn 2:14- “I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.”
Our source of surety in salvation: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe” (1Thes. 2:13).
Our source to stand in conflict: “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).
The powerful searcher of our hearts: “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.” (Hebrews 4:12)
The beautiful song of our heart: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Col. 3:16)
The unseen source of the universe: “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” (Hebrews 11:3)
The unfailing, unending, incorruptible, unchangeable Seed that will abide forever: “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” (1Peter 1:23)
The Lord Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away.” (Luke 21:33)
May we not hesitate to bare record of the Word of God (John 1:1; Revelation 1:2, 19:13)
May we have the faith of a centurion who said simply, “Speak the word only” (Matthew 8:8).
From Genesis to Revelation, we see the importance of God’s eternal word impressed upon us. Though it be written with ink, it must be written upon our hearts to be effective.
More references to the value the Lord Jesus placed upon the Sacred Word:
Mat 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Luk 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
Luk 24:25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
Luk 24:26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
Luk 24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
Luk 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
Luk 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
Luk 24:46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
Joh 10:35 …and the Scripture cannot be broken;
Joh 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.