“For 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.”
(Hebrews 4:12)
The sum and substance of the Gospel message can be condensed into these truths: the true Messiah shall be both God and man, from the seed of David. He shall be born of His heavenly Father’s heart. He shall satisfy the Law of God. He shall offer Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the faithful. He shall conquer death by dying and rising again. He shall ascend into heaven. In due time he shall return for judgment. Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Mary, fulfills all these criteria. Therefore, Jesus is the true Messiah. This is God’s Word to all men.
William Perkins said the following, “The perfection of God’s Word consists … in its sufficiency. Its sufficiency is such that as the Word of God it is so complete that nothing may be either added to it or taken from it which belongs to its proper purpose, ‘The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul,’(Ps. 19:7). ‘Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it, nor take away from it,’ (Deut. 12:32). ‘For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book,’ (Rev. 22:18–19).”
Everything we need to experience a full and rewarding life here and hereafter – with all that encompasses – is to be found in God’s Word. We need only to study it, digest it, incorporate it. In short, we need to fall in love with the Word of God.
God’s Word to us should be our life source, strength, and compass, as its origin and author is the King of kings, the Lord of lords, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the great and mighty God, Creator of all (2 Tim. 3:16). In addition, Scripture is called the oracle of God (Rom. 3:2), of Christ (Col. 3:16), and of the Holy Spirit (Acts 28:25; 2 Peter 1:21).
As such, God’s Word is living and active, effectively calling out those whom God has chosen to be in His family, rescuing them from the death-grip of Satan and his forces. Scripture effectively shows us who God is, what He is about, and what He does in His world. His living Word describes creation, the fall, redemption, regeneration, justification, adoption, sanctification, and the glorification of man. It houses the gracious covenant of God with men and its most wise administration through so many ages, even to our day. It instructs us in our duties toward God, our neighbor, and our self… both in our state of grace and in our state of sin… in life and in death – all of which are valuable and necessary to know.
We should be moved to love and respect and honor God’s Word because of its form and structure, its precepts and examples, its commands and prohibitions, its promises and warnings. And we should be drawn to it because of its power (Rom. 1:16; James 1:21) and energy (Heb. 4:12; 1 Thess. 2:13).
God’s Word is sufficient for salvation of the soul, for which it is called the word of grace (Acts 14:3; 20:32), and likewise, the word of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:19), the word of life (John 6:68; Phil. 2:16), and the word of salvation (Acts 13:26; Heb. 2:3). Because of its effectiveness, it is compared to such powerful elements as fire (Jer. 5:14; Luke 24:32), water (Isa. 55:10; Deut. 32:2), a hammer (Jer. 23:29), and a double-edged sword (Heb. 4:12). In short, it is the living and active Word of God.
What is more, this Word of God illuminates the mind (Ps. 19:8-9; Acts 8:31; 26:17-18); it sanctifies the heart (John 17:17); it converts (Ps. 19:7); it regenerates (James 1:18); it kindles faith (Rom. 10:17; Gal. 3:5); it penetrates and lays bare the secret things of the heart (Heb. 4:12-13; 1 Cor. 14:23-25); it strengthens so that we might be able to conquer all (1 John 2:14); it comforts (Rom 15:4); and it guides (Acts 8:31). And all this causes faithful believers to walk holy before God and adore His Christ.
“Oh, how I love Thy law!” (Psalm 119:97)
- Where is my treasure? When I know where my treasure is, that is where I will find my heart. That is where the affection of my heart resides. Does secular entertainment and popular trends consume most of my time? If so, I am not allowing Your Word to guide me. Help me discern what my heart truly treasures, Lord. Is it focused on Your Word and on Christ above? Keep me from being distracted and influenced by the world.
- All those who are born again cannot help but remember how powerful Your Word was at their regeneration. I remember when You convicted me of my sin and need for a Savior. I remember where I was and what I was reading, like it was only a moment ago. Your Word was like a hammer beating on my heart until it broke it all to pieces. It was like a sword that pierced into the depths of my soul, causing me to shake and tremble, and it does still, every time I read it. At the same time, it is also like a healing balm which soothes my wounds. Its promises heal my bruises and refresh my tender heart. Its truths strengthen and encourage me when I’m weak and weary.
- It is amazing to think that the Word of God provides for me a double mercy. It makes heaven and Christ more vivid in my mind as I meditate on these truths, and it also is the means, help, and direction given for the advancement of getting to heaven and glorifying Jesus Christ. Help me desire the “sincere milk” of Your Word, that I may grow in grace and knowledge of You (1 Peter 2:2). And help me grow stronger in my walk with You, so that I desire the deeper things of God, the meat of Your Word, by which I can grow from strength to strength.
- Your Spirit, Lord, gives me strength and makes me mighty by its power (Isa. 49:26). 2 Corinthians 3:8 says, “How shall not the ministration of the Spirit be much more glorious?” Jer. 23:22 and 29, “But if they had stood in my counsel, and declared my words to my people, then they should have turned them from their evil way.” What would Your Word do for me if it was not worked into my heart by Your Spirit to persuade me by its truth? Heb. 4:1 says Your Word is “a two-edged sword,” one of great efficacy and power.
Further References for Hebrews 4:12
Eph. 6:17; Rev. 1:16; Jer. 23:29; 1 Thess. 2:13; Isa. 55:11; Luke 11:28
