His Word

Dec 28

by
ARMEL LWAMBA

We usually are encouraged to read the word of God. As Christians, it is something that we have to do, not only because it is right for anyone who calls themselves a believer to read it, but for other reasons as well which are important too.

However, we notice that believers don’t always get to take the time to truly read and meditate on the word for themselves. Some choose to leave that task to their pastors or spiritual leaders so that they can conveniently listen, others don’t really see the importance since they have already been saved, etc.

Despite the fact that the Word truly is an eternal treasure (“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” Matthew 24:35 NIV), we do not take the time to study it and know it for ourselves. The Word has over the years become a forgotten and neglected treasure for many, read not out of love for it, but rather out of requirement. But I believe that the Word should not only be read out of requirement, because if we do read that way, it will be easy to one day lose that sense of requirement and neglect it. It should not be considered like an add up to our Christian life, because it’s not just an add up. It is more than that and it was gifted to us for a purpose. That purpose can be divided into two categories; pre-salvation and post-salvation.

In the pre-salvation stage, the Word contribute to fuelling our faith. It introduces us or tells us about God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). Knowing the Word for ourselves serves as a solid basis, a foundation, on which to stand throughout our journey as believers. It is good for our sake and the sake of those we will encounter along our journey (‘How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” … So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.’ Romans 10:14-15,17 NKJV). Rather than always waiting for someone to tell you about the Word, seek to read and know it for yourself.

As for the post-salvation stage, the effects of the Word on us are a continuation of what has already begun in us. It is essential in helping us in the fellowship with other believers (saints) and the sharpening of one another. Isn’t it wonderful when you get together as believers and just encourage one another using the Word, and learn more concerning the kingdom that we are part of (“not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25 NIV)? When I was new to the faith and didn’t know much about the word, I would be the one to always learn from others. However, as much as it is beautiful to learn, one has to give as well. But how can you give if you have nothing. That is why, have the habit of learning the word, so that you can give back to.

The Word was also destined to completes us (“All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honourably with personal integrity and moral courage]; so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 AMP). It is good that you have been saved, or born again. But if you have been born again, this implies that one is an infant once more and as such, you are meant to grow. The Word contains all the nourishment necessary to the growth of any new born believers. After all, the Holy Spirit, the Helper made sure of it. And like any other Helper, He makes sure to help us whenever something is too complicated for our human mind to comprehend. That is why, associate your Bible study time to prayer, ask the Helper to assist you in comprehending the Word and grow.

Like stated earlier, the Word contains all the necessary nourishment for the growth of a healthy spirit. It is food for our spirits (“Your words were found and I ate them, and Your words became a joy to me and the delight of my heart; for I have been called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16 AMP; ‘But Jesus replied, “It is written and forever remains written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.’”’ Matthew 4:4 AMP). Just like our physical body requires food, our spiritual self too requires food and the Word is that food.

The Word of God rejuvenate us (“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” John 6:63 NKJV). Maybe it’s just me, but I have felt refreshed many times, after spending a while without reading the word of God. It is such a beautiful feeling which truly leaves me in awe of God, His majesty, the evident power residing in His word.

As much as it is important to seek to know and understand the word for ourselves, it is also necessary to rely on the explanation of others; leaders who have been placed by God ahead of us in order to aid and guide us in our growth, by taking the time to preach, explain to us the word until we have reached a higher level of spiritual maturity (“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—”Ephesians 4:11-15 NKJV). The word is also destined to clean us (“to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word” Ephesians 5:26 NIV).

The word has so many beneficial effects on us. Another important element to keep in mind is that God also speaks to us through His Word. I believe many may have experimented this, including myself. The word is also a weapon of warfare that can cut through everything, it is a sword in the hand of any believer (“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:17 NIV). Let us not forget that as long as we are on this earth, we will forever be at war, with the dark forces and rulers of this world (“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12 NIV). We are soldiers at war against tireless forces that will stop at nothing to destroy us. As soldiers, we ought to keep ourselves with the necessary tools needed to go to war and one of these tools is the Word of God, a very powerful weapon that protects us from the enemy but also from ourselves (“For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 AMP).

Something else important the Word does for us is to tell us about who we are. It's easy to lose our identity, to be easily influenced by the world, to feel depressed and not know who we are. But as we read the Holy Scriptures, we are told of what God thinks of us, of who we are and how we ought to be. By doing so, it washes away all the anxiety, the self-doubt, low-esteem that clouds our minds.

It also teaches us our culture. Being set apart and yet living in the world, we are called to live not accordingly to the culture of the world but the culture of the kingdom of God, which can be hard while being on this earth, prisoners of this flesh. As ambassadors of heaven (“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV), we are supposed to live according to the culture of the kingdom we belong to and the Word contains the necessary teachings pertaining to the culture of our home.

The scriptures tell us about the mysteries of the hidden plans of God, plans that He hid to humanity but then revealed to His apostles chosen in Christ, secrets to which we have now access as well because of the Word that has been left behind and which we ought to spread just like our ancestors in Christ have spent their lives doing.

The Word is true and should be believed and known in its entirety and not limit ourselves to only what sounds nice in our ears or whatever knowledge we agree with. As a friend said so well, for as long as we are on earth, we need to work out our salvation; Having been saved is one thing, living a godly life is another and the Word aids us in continuing to live in a godly manner, not taking for granted the goodness of God but striving to know His desires for the saints and His commends.

Obviously, there is much that has not been said but my desire is that we would understand that the Word is essential to the life of any believer. It’s not just another requirement, it’s a treasure that should be loved and devoured. It is so much more than we sometimes think and I pray that by the grace of God, our eyes be enlightened and that such a realisation be inscribed in each of our hearts.