Tuesday, 19th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search

Description of the holy bible – Part 29

By Emeritus Prof. Mercy Olumide
12 May 2019   |   3:11 am
The Word of God cont. In the words of the writer to the Hebrews, God sustains “all things by the word of His power” (Heb 1:3; see also Ps 147:15-18). Like the creative word, this word is related to Jesus Christ, for Paul insists that, “by him [Jesus] all things consist [hold together]” (Col 1:17).…

Holy bible. Photo/pexels

The Word of God cont.

In the words of the writer to the Hebrews, God sustains “all things by the word of His power” (Heb 1:3; see also Ps 147:15-18). Like the creative word, this word is related to Jesus Christ, for Paul insists that, “by him [Jesus] all things consist [hold together]” (Col 1:17).

(3) The word of God has the power to impart new life. Peter testifies that we are born again “by the word of God, which lives and abides forever” (1 Pet 1:23; cf. 2 Tim 3:15; Jas 1:18). It is for this reason that Jesus Himself is called “the Word of life” (1 John 1:1).

(4) The word of God also releases grace, power and revelation by which believers grow in their faith and in their commitment to Jesus Christ.

Isaiah uses a powerful picture: just as water from the sky causes things to grow physically, so also the word that goes out from God’s mouth causes us to grow spiritually (Is 55:10-11). Peter echoes the same thought, when he writes that by drinking the pure milk of the Word of God, we grow up in our salvation (1 Pet 2:2).

(5) The word of God is the sword God has given us by which we may fight Satan (Eph 6:17; cf. Rev 19:13-15). Note how in the story of Jesus’ victory over Satan’s temptations, each time He defeated Satan by declaring, “it is written” (i.e., “it stands as God’s infallible Word”; see Mat 4:1-11).

(6) The word of God has the power to judge us. The OT prophets and the NT apostles frequently spoke words of judgment received from the Lord. Jesus Himself said His word will condemn those who reject Him (John 12:48), and the author of Hebrews writes that the powerful word of God judges “the thoughts and intents of the heart” (see Heb 4:12). In other words, those who choose to ignore God’s word will one day experience it as a word of condemnation.

(7) The word of God sanctifies. (Jn 15:3; 17:17; Eph 5:26; 1 Pet 1:22) sanctification is becoming more and more like Jesus Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit.

(8) The word of God is healing (Ps 107:20; Mat 8:16) in the four Gospels Jesus healed people just by His word.

Our Reaction to the Word of God. The Bible describes in clear and unmistakable language how we should react to the word of God in all its different forms.

(1) We must eagerly hear God’s word (Is 1:10; Jer 7:2; Acts 17:11) and seek to understand it (Mt 13:23).

(2) We must praise God’s word (Ps 56:4, 10), love it (Ps 119:47, 113), and let it be our joy and delight (Ps 119:16, 47).

(3) We must accept what the word of God says (Mark 4:20; Acts 2:41; 1 Thes 2:13), hide it deep within our hearts (Ps 119:11), trust in it (Ps 119:42), and put our hope in its promises (Ps 119:74,81,114; 130:5).

(4) Above all, we must obey what it commands (Ps 119:17,67; Jas 1:22-24) and live according to it (Ps 119:9).

Email: mercyolumide2004@yahoo.co.uk www.thebiblicalwomanhood.com Mobile: +234 803 344 6614; +234 808 123 7987

0 Comments