The Word of God

picture taken by : Chris Laporte

” The Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow.  it is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  Nothing in all of creation is hidden from God.  Everything is open and laid bare before His eyes, and He is the One to whom we are accountable.”  Hebrews 4:12-13

Wow!, kinda scary, yet very cool.  It amazes me how the Scriptures put their finger on just the spot that needs tending to in my life each day.  If I miss my time with God, I am so out of sync.  I’m grouchier, disoriented, often discontented and selfish.   I praise God for the Words of Scripture.  God desires truth in our innermost parts, and Scripture opens us up and lays it bare.  Not for all to see, but for us to see.  He doesn’t do this to condemn us, for there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8.1); He reveals our sin to bring us to repentance, which will free us from that sin.

I believe not only the Word of God is inspired and flawless, but the order in which He inspired the writers to place things is inspired too.  After reading the above passage from Hebrews 4, one might be discouraged, but read on…

“So then, since we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus Christ, the Righteous Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe.  This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, having been tempted in every way that we are, yet He did not sin.  So let us come boldly to the Throne of our Gracious God.  There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” (Hebrews 4:14-16)

We feel our need the most, when we are most aware of our own weakness.  Like Adam and Eve, we are tempted to hide from God and try to cover our sins from His sight by sewing fig leaves together.  But God, being the Great Physician, gently pulls back our tattered coverings and reveals the wounds that our sins have caused.  He then invites us to receive His forgiveness and healing in those areas.  I have learned the difference over the years between condemnation and conviction.  When God is convicting me, I always feel His embrace at the same time, a gentle invitation to lay down my wrong and turn away from it toward Him.  When it is condemnation from the enemy, other people, or even self-condemnation,  I want to curl up, run and hide, get away.

When God reveals sin, we must resist our natural tendency to run, and remember the Precious Word of Hebrews 4.  God not only exposes sin, but provides the way to be freed from it and receive His abundant healing and grace.  What a precious, Mighty God we serve.

Amen and Amen