Thought for Friday, December 7th

December 7, 2012

The Truth about The Word

“There is no book like the Bible for excellent learning, wisdom and use.”

-       Matthew Hale

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

John 1:1-5

In the realms of Christendom when on refers to ‘The Word’ the immediate assumption and conclusion drawn is that there is a reference being made to the Bible, and more often than not this is true.

Yet we need to transcend our limited perspective that ‘The Word’ is merely a compilation of words on a page in a book that was inspired by God.  We need to think of ‘The Word’ as the living embodiment of the very essence of the persona of God.

The passage from John tells us that ‘The Word’ has always been, it was with God and was God and that it has become the light that illuminates the world.

In Second Timothy we realize all scripture is given by the inspired breath of God to the hearts of those who penned the words under the direction of the Holy Spirit: so than can we not conclude that ‘The Word’ is alive and that which is printed is just a snap shot or account of and from the very Giver of Life.  The Bible is just the very essence of God captured and written in a text.

So then, ‘The Word’ needs to be more than just a book we place on a shelf or lay on a table.  When we pick up the Bible we are holding a piece of who God is and what He thinks and how He feels: we are in affect holding a piece of God in our hand, figuratively speaking.

I know when we hold a Bible we are not holding a literal piece of God, yet in a sense we are holding a representation of the very essence of what has been divinely inspired, preserved and delivered to us as a representation of that which is alive and is God.

The point I am trying to make here is that ‘The Word’ is life and The Bible is an extension of the very essence of life and the One who gives all life:  so we need to be more connected and in touch with both ‘The Word’ and ‘The Bible.’  

In Psalms we read that God’s word is to be a lamp to our feet and a light for our path.  In order for the Bible to be that illuminating to our heart and soul, we need to allow the living Spirit of God to give life and substance to the words in the Bible: and our reaction to these words needs to let it become The Living Word within us.

Is the Word alive for and in your heart and life?

Today’s Prayer

Father, you are the word and I need your word, by your Spirit to be alive in me so that I can be all that you desire and want me to be.