Genuine Christianity is not simply a religion where men can make claims and change truths that are not backed up completely from God’s Word. Those who are truly God’s are accompanied by power and that power is found in God’s Word through the working of the Holy Spirit in their hearts. Therefore, those who preach and teach from God’s Word must do so in that power, not merely in their own words. Our enemy, Satan, is not compelled to move by our words, however, if we draw the Sword of the Lord to confront him, we must then strike him with its naked edge. In so doing, we will pierce the hearts of those to whom we preach and teach. Their consciences will be provoked and their lives will be changed as only God can do it.
12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (NASB)
In this day in which the truth is said to be unknowable, Christians must rely on the only source of pure truth we have. There is no truth that we can say is the complete truth unless we take it from God’s Word. The Bible is pure truth and it is the authority we rely on in order to have a firm foundation in this lost and dying world that is consuming itself in rebellion against God.
What can we learn from Hebrews 4:12 about this?
The Bible is the word of God and because of that, it is divine. Therefore, we should greatly reverence it as being truly spoken by God. It is living. Unlike my words or your words, the Word of God lives on, whereas our words pass away. The Word of God has a life in itself as the living and incorruptible seed. It creates life where it comes. It can never be destroyed and exterminated. The Protestant Reformation was a movement in protest against the policies of the Roman Catholic Church that forbade the Bible to be in any other form than Latin. This kept the Bible from most people. That is why we should rejoice that God saw fit to bring it about to get His Word into everyone’s hands which makes it possible for people to get it in their hearts.
The Word of God is effectual in that it is living and active or powerful. Unlike many today who say the Bible is a mystery that no one can really understand, we know that a genuine Christian has the Holy Spirit and, therefore, can read, know, and understand it. Through that understanding, we receive conviction and conversion. Also, when we are suffering, we can read it and receive comfort and confirmation. In fact, we should start with prayer and the Word of God before we take our cares to other people. Because it is pure and true the Word of God can raise us to great heights of holiness and joy or happiness.
