The "Word” of God
Many, many
people, both Christian and non-Christian use the term, “Word of God.“ They
believe its use gives weight to the message being presented. There is not
any higher credible authority, after all, if God said it, that settles it,
dispute ended! But is it all that easy? And if it is, are those that
are claiming something to be God’s Word telling us the truth? Is the Word
of God a book, written by many prophets and mystics throughout ancient times,
now handed down to us to decipher. Is the Word of God the Bible? How
do we know? We have been conditioned over time to believe in the authority
of Bible, and we have been told that it is the God’s Word. This document
has as its goal to re-evaluate this teaching in the hope of refreshing our
understanding of the concept of the Word of God.
It is written, “One does not live by bread
alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
– Jesus (Matthew 4:4, quoting Deuteronomy
8:3)
The Word
of God is very important! In fact, it is vital! As followers of
Jesus Christ, we must walk with Him in accordance to His Word. Our
relationship to God is founded on the righteousness (right standing) we have
received through Him and has given us freedom to respond in obedience to His
Word. But, is the Bible equal to the Word of God? Are these
synonymous terms? A question of that premise is presented in this
document, not to tear down faith, but to anchor faith in the “living” Word of
God and set us free from the doctrine of men.
In Paul’s
second letter to Timothy, we find a familiar passage that many use to proclaim
their belief in the Bible as God’s Word.
All scripture is inspired by God and is useful
for teaching (doctrine), for reproof, for correction, and for training in
righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped
for every good work.
– 2 Timothy 3:16-17
The apostle explains that the scriptures (holy writings) are useful for
doctrine, reproof and correction. In this statement, Paul says nothing
about the Word of God, but does expound his belief in the inspirational guidance
of the Holy Spirit. He says the writers of the scriptures were profoundly
influenced, so that in their writing they were able to capture information that
would lead those who read them into righteousness (right standing before God),
proficient (living), equipped for every good work (a life of faith.) Those
that believe in the perfect inspiration and inerrant nature of the Bible believe
that proof of its divine origin is ascertained by dogmatic proclamation.
This strategy has been largely successful. Today in evangelical circles,
anyone who would dare question the authority of scripture and cast doubt on its
authority as the Word of God, is at the least heretical and probably not even a
Christian. But, having admitted that the Word of God is authoritative and
vital to living the Christian experience, doesn’t it seem more important to find
a better more practical understanding of the life giving Word of God; something
that will truly make a difference in life and will in truth lead us to God
Himself rather than just a doctrinal position.
What is the “Word of God?” What are we talking about when we reference it?
Aren’t we referring to statements made by Him, utterances that have at their
core the meaning of life and death? The answer of course is yes! The
scriptures do testify to these characteristics:
Indeed, the word
of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it
divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts
and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all
are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an
account.
– Hebrews 4:12-13
This reference makes it clear that the Word of God is a judge of the thoughts
and intentions of the individual heart. Can a book do this?
Something is missing if we see God’s Word as only a timeless book written by
wisemen over a period of many centuries. According to the apostles, the
Word is much more personal than that. We could go as far as to say
according to John that it (the Word) is of the same essence as God:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word
was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All
things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into
being.
– John 1:1-3
We do not give divine nature to the Bible, do we? The context of this
passage goes on to reveal that the Word (having been active in the Spiritual
realm) became flesh (in the person of Jesus Christ):
And the Word
became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a
father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
– John 1:14
Logos
The proclamation of the gospel of
John therefore is that Jesus is the Word of God; and Jesus Himself gives us an
understanding about the Word of God in a familiar parable. Most parables’
meanings are left unexplained. This one, however, commonly known as the
“Parable of the Sower,” is explained by Jesus to His disciples. Starting
in Matthew’s gospel, chapter 13, verse 4, Jesus tells the story of a sower who
broadcasts his seed on four different types of soil; each soil yielding a
different result with the final good (fertile) soil growing and producing much
fruit from the seed that is the Word of God. Having heard Jesus’ story
along with the crowds, the disciples were perplexed as to its meaning, so Jesus
explains starting in verse 18. This story gives us some important clues
about the nature of the “Word of God.”
“Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the
word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches
away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for
what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and
immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures
only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word,
that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns,
this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of
wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. But as for what was sown on
good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed
bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in
another thirty.”
– Matthew 13:18-23 (nearly identical, Mark 4:14-20)
In the Greek, there are two words for used in the
New Testament for the word, “word.” Here the word is “logos.”
It references that which is spoken in an objective sense, a message that is
broadcasted to many listeners. The message itself is not revealed here,
but the listeners in the story hear he message and then evaluate it to determine
its validity. The seed, which is the “logos” Word in Matthew’s
parable, avails itself to be received by all the different soils it falls upon.
It is then eaten by the birds or rendered powerless by the scorching sun or in
some way acted upon by its receiver. The life giving power of the “logos”
Word is not in its transmission, but in the reception and cultivation of the
message by the soil. So even though this passage does use the word “logos”,
it also reveals that the true power of the word is only realized when
germination and growth occurs.
And take the helmet of
salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in
view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.
– Ephesians 6:17-18
Rhema
If “logos” is God’s word proclaimed, “rhema” is God’s word
received and understood. “Rhema” is more associated with the power
of the Word of God because it is at that point that it becomes apparent that God
has indeed spoken. Armed with the certain message that God has spoken to
you, the Word of God becomes a weapon wielded by the Spirit to win spiritual
battles.
Peter’s “rhema” word from Jesus concerning his then future denial,
invoked bitter tears as he realized God’s word for him:
And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had
said, "Before a cock crows, you will deny Me three times." And he went out and
wept bitterly.
– Matthew 26:75
“Rhema” word has the added impact of realization. It
becomes powerful because it is understood to be God’s personalized word.
The full impact of the truth of this word can only be realized by the person for
whom it was intended. Thus, the Word of God is given in “rhema”
(utterance) through a personal relationship with an individual believer.
When the revelation is completed, God’s perfect will is established and
germination and growth happens.
So the next time you hear someone reference the Holy Bible as a synonymous term
for the Word of God, stop and think for a moment about what the real Word of God
is. It is a message to you personally from God. It is a word that
makes a difference in your life; one that brings about growth and change and
conformity of character to that of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Word of God is not found on coffee tables or dusty shelves, but as the
scriptures testify, the word of God “is living and active and sharper than
any two edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from
marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
The experiences we have as believers when this activity is happening in our
lives is our encounter with the real Word of God; it is bound to nothing less
than our personal relationship with Jesus Himself through the Holy Spirit.
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