The Word of God
The Word of God is an often said phrase, but what does it mean? My best friend back in college would see a Bible in someone’s hand and say, “watch out they have their sword”. Referring to Paul’s writing in Ephesians 6:17, “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”. Hebrews 4:12 continues the sword comparison. The thought of having a weapon, a cool sword, maybe like the one in “The Highlander” or “Gladiator” is awesome! But that doesn’t really answer the question - what is the word of God?
Throughout the New Testament the “word of God” is referred to, but they didn’t have what we know as the Bible then. A look into the Old Testament also shows the reference to the “word of God”. So, the “word of God” has to be more than a book and it’s not an actual sword...so what is it?
The word of God is far more than scrolls from the Old Testament, a group of letters used by early Christians, and a book read across the world today. The word of God is alive, it is supernatural, it is prophetic and, like a sword, it will open up your heart. Psalms 95 tells us it is both a promise and a warning - the word of God is going to do something deep inside you and me.
The prophets described beautifully the life-changing power of the word of God! In Isaiah 55, it is compared to rain and snow that covers the earth and does not leave until the earth is satisfied. So we are nourished and covered by the word of God. Jeremiah 23:29, says it is like fire and a hammer that crushes rock! The word of God will cleanse and crush the deepest sins and hurts, perhaps in areas we cannot even see.
And then there are the words of John, written years after Jesus walked the earth. He chooses to parallel the Genesis story when God speaks (words) the world into being. But this time God’s Word is bringing salvation into existence! The Word of God is alive. Light cutting through the darkness - the Glory of God!
If I am being honest, I don’t truly understand what the Word of God is. But I have experienced it. It has covered me like fresh snow. It has pierced the deepest reaches of my soul. I have seen it’s promises come alive in my life. What I do know is - the Word of God is life changing.