The Word of God

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According to several articles I have read over the years, the bible is the best selling book in the world. Almost every home you go into has a bible somewhere. However, most people do not think of the power of that book. In my own life I have tried to use the phrase “word of God” instead of using the word bible when referring to the scriptures. While this may be considered a minor issue in word choice by some, I feel it is very important. The main reason for this feeling is that it will help us to remember what the bible is God’s word. Many people have forgotten this fact and have made God’s word something they will manipulate for their own purpose. In the remainder of this lesson, I will put forth some of God’s word I hope will help us to see the way we should see it in our own lives.

PSA 119:161 Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word.

The psalmist makes it clear that he has a great respect for God’s word, even though he is persecuted unduly because of it. When we go through our everyday lives, has the scriptures impacted our lives to this extent. I am afraid not! When I hear most people talking about the bible, they mention it in a casual manner. In order for the word of God to have a substantial effect on our lives, we must read it as a source of great power

ACT 17:11 Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

Are we eager to study God’s word. Some people might be afraid of what they might find in the scriptures. This verse points out the fact that the Berean’s study of the word was a very positive thing. Another thing to be learned from this verse was the scripture was used to determine if what we say is true, not just used to verify our own personal beliefs. We could all learn from this example.

ACT 11:1 The apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.

We must receive the word of God. If we truly understand it’s power there will be no hesitation to do this. I feel that receiving the word means making it an important part of our life. Do we think of our bibles this way?

ACT 13:48a When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord;

When is the last time we honored the word of the Lord? I very rarely hear people talking about the positive impact the bible has had on their life, even though I know people who read it every day. In what I have observed in life, honoring the word and honoring God go together. I think that thinking of the bible as the word of God will help us to achieve this.

JAM 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Putting God’s word into action is one sure way to help us truly understand the power and importance of what it says. I’m sure that when the Bereans read the word, the were not merely listening. I think many are deceiving themselves by simply listening without any intention of putting God’s word into action. This is not what God wants! It is a deception Satan wants us to succumb to.

REV 1:9 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

Have we suffered because of God’s word? Has what the scripture said led to this kind of result in your life? Or is it just another dust collector in our homes? I hope we say the former and not the latter.

In closing I would like to relate a story about a student at a bible college. This student came from a cultural background that showed a high deal of respect for God’s word. One day he missed a class and the professor loaned him the notes from the lecture so he could catch up. Several days passed before the student came by and returned the notes. When the professor asked him why he has waited as long as he has about returning the notes, the student told him he had stopped by on several occasions but the office door was locked. The professor told him he could have slid the notes under the door. The student’s response was that he could not do that because it would have meant putting the scriptures on the floor and that would be inappropriate. Is this an extreme example. I will let you make that decision. In any case, I feel the point of that story is quite clear. We must show respect for the bible as God’s word if we expect it to impact our lives.