The Word of God
The Word of God
Hebrews 4:12
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.
Throughout history the Lord has preserved Scripture. The Bible has survived wars, idol worshipping kings, the exile of the Jewish people, and critics who have desired nothing more than its extinction.
The Bible consists of 66 books: 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. It was originally written in three languages, Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, and was penned by over 40 writers, including kings, prophets, shepherds, and fishermen, over a period of 1,500 years.
But the most exciting and miraculous thing about the Word of God is not its power to persevere, but its power to preserve us in the face of adversity, depression, temptation, and disease.
While it is the most printed and most sold book in history, it is also the most controversial. There are many who complain about God’s Word, citing that “it’s too hard to understand” or that “it just doesn’t make sense.” While there are others who rejoice as they eagerly digest the pages, saying “it speaks to me” or “it has changed my life.”
What is the difference? The openness of the person’s heart to receive instruction and the willingness to surrender and let the Spirit lead. Literally, the Bible is the only book that reads you, while you read It.
When we lack answers to life’s problems, we can look to Scripture for guidance, for encouragement, for salvation, and for healing.
The Old Testament
Today both Jewish and Christian believers share the 39 books of the Old Testament. Through them we learn about the creation of the world in Genesis, we receive a call to worship in Psalms and can glean wisdom from Proverbs.
Traditionally the Old Testament is broken into 3 or 4 sections (depending on whose layout you prefer). We’ll talk about the latter as it’s easier to explain. The first section is the Torah, which include the first five books of the Testament, Genesis through Deuteronomy. The you will cross into the Historical books, which recount Israel’s history from conquest to exile. There are 12 books that make up this collection, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. Then there are Poetic and Wisdom works, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Soloman. Then you have the Prophetic works, which are broken out into two sub sections referred to as the Major Prophets, covering 5 books, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel, or the Minor Prophets, covering the remaining 12 books, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.
All these works come together, giving us different genres, different styles of writing, but all share one purpose. Which is the most important lesson we can learn from the Old Testament is about the coming Messiah, Jesus.
The New Testament
2 Peter 1:19-21
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Yet, God came to earth as a stranger. From heaven He could see across galaxies and still look into the heart of man. When He looked at the people on earth, He saw their need for Savior. So, He became flesh, making Himself human. All so He could experience life as we do, and to ultimately die for our sins.
This truth is unfolded in the New Testament. The first four books, known as the Gospels, provide a biography of Jesus. Matthew, Mark, and Luke are known as synoptic Gospels – as they share similar content, structure, and wording. John presents the story of Jesus from a different perspective, while you will find similar content in John, it is said that 90% of the material in John is unique and not found in the other three Gospels.
Matthew and John had the privilege of knowing Jesus and were personal eyewitnesses of His teachings, miracles, and life. Their writings are firsthand accounts. Mark and Luke were not, however, God moved on them to research and interview those who were eyewitnesses to create their Gospels.
Christian history tells us that Mark received the majority of his account of the life of Jesus from the Apostle Peter. And that Luke was a physician, and being highly educated, he conducted his own research to provide us his account of the life of Jesus. He also took his calling so serious that he followed up his biography with an account of the history of the early church by writing the Book of Acts.
The growing church soon reached far beyond the Jewish community and the Gentiles (simply non-Jews) soon found themselves on the receiving end of the plan of salvation. God had a plan to reach the whole world with the whole Gospel, and a great part of this plan was to introduce the world to the Apostle Paul.
A passionate Pharisee (an ancient Jewish group distinguished by strict observance of the traditional and written law), Saul of Tarsus hated the growing church. To the point that he asked for letters from the high priest, granting him permission to kill Christians. On a road called Damascus, the Lord struck Saul down to the ground with a great light that left him blind. Through the ministry of Ananias, God healed both Saul’s, eyes and heart. After which he repented, was baptized in Jesus’ name, and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Saul decided to stop being recognized by his Hebrew name, choosing rather to be called by his Greek name, Paul.
The man who held letters that would serve as a death sentence for numerous Christians, became the man who would write the majority of the New Testament (13 books total) providing the Church for ages to come, instruction about salvation and living a separated, holy life.
Applying the Word of God
Although we are far removed from when the New Testament was written, this message is timeless and still speaking today. God still calls us to be holy and to live according to His written commandments.
2 Timothy 3:16
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
We not only believe in the validity of the Word of God, but we daily seek to apply it to our lives. It provides direction, correction, and strength for facing everyday life.
Psalm 119:11-16
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. 12 Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes. 13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. 14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. 16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
Psalm 119:105
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
If we choose to believe and obey the Word of God, we become good examples for others. And even though we can not add to the written Word, we can share our testimony, and our lives will serve as proof that the Bible is true.
2 Corinthians 3:2-3
2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: 3 forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
You may be the only Bible some people ever read. So, you need to live your life with the hope that when someone who has rejected the Word or was never presented the opportunity to learn the Word, “reads” you (interacts with you) that they would become convicted by the life you live. You want them to “taste and see that the Lord is good.” [Psalm 34:8]