The Word of God

The phrase "the word of God" can be understood in a variety of ways in the Bible. It refers first of all to anything that God has spoken directly. When God spoke to Adam and Eve, what He said was the Word of God. God spoke His Word to Abraham, Jacob, and Moses. God also was speaking to the entire nation of Israel at Mount Sinai when He delivered the Ten Commandments. Even as Moses communicated the commandments to the people, the words they heard were God's Words.

In addition to direct speech, God also spoke through the prophets. So when the Israelites were listening to the words of a true prophet of the Lord, they were listening to the word of God.

God spoke through the New Testament apostles. What they proclaimed was the anointed word of God delivered through them. Paul said that "when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of man, but as it actually is, the word of God" (t Th. 2:13).

Everything that Jesus spoke was the word of God because He is fully God. Luke  states clearly that when people heard Jesus, they heard the word of God (Luke 5:1). It is so important to listen to Jesus' words that He Himself says, "Whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned" (John 5:24). Jesus is so closely identified with the word of God that He actually is called "the Word" (John 1:1, 14).

The Word of God, the scriptures, is the written record of what the prophets, apostles and Jesus have spoken. What is written in the Bible is the Word of God. The Word of God stands firm in the heavens (Ps. 119:89; Isaiah 40:8; 1 Peter 1:24-25). Yet it is not a stagnant or inactive word; it is dynamic and powerful and it accomplishes great things (Isa. 55:11). The Word of God is the creative word. According to John, the Word that God used to create all things was Jesus Christ (John 1:1-3).

The Word of God has the power to give, reveal and communicate new life. Peter testifies that we are born again "through the living and enduring Word of God" (1 Peter 1:23).

The Word of God also releases grace, power and revelation that cause Christ's followers to grow in their faith and commitment to Him. Peter writes that by drinking the "pure spiritual milk" of the Word of God, we grow up in our relationship with God" (1 Peter 2:2).

The Word of God is "the sword of the Spirit" that God has given us to fight satan and his evil plans. Notice the account of Jesus' victory over satan's temptations in the wilderness that each time He defeated satan by declaring, "It is written."

Finally, the Word of God has the power to judge us. The Old Testament prophets and the New Testament apostles often spoke words of correction, discipline and judgment that they received from the Lord.  Jesus Himself  said His word will condemn those who reject Him (John 12:48). In Hebrews we learn that the powerful word of God judges "the thoughts and attitudes of the heart". All of this means that those who choose to ignore God's Word will one day experience it as the final word of judgment and conviction.

The Bible describes in clear and unmistakable language how we should respond to the Word of God in all its different forms. We must hear and receive God's Word eagerly and depend on God to help us understand it. We must praise and honor God's Word, love it, and let it be our joy and delight. We must accept what the Word of God says, letting it get deep into our hearts. We are to trust it, and put our hope in its promises. Above all, we must apply it directly to our daily lives. We must obey its commands and live by its principles, instructions and guidelines. All followers of Jesus are called to proclaim God's Word, spread its message of hope, forgiveness and new life - wherever they go.