The Living Word

​Hebrews 4:12-13 ~ “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
 
Have you discovered that as you read the Word of God, it seems as if it is also reading you? How quickly we find that as we peruse the pages of God’s divine word, those principles and commands, those corrections and confrontations reach deep into our heart. Much like the two on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:32, we find it to be true that His word burns within us, “They said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?’” My friends, it may be a hard thing to have such an encounter with the Scriptures, but it is necessary. Psalm 19:11 testifies concerning this, “Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” Let us, even today, commit to the reading and study of God’s word that through His Scriptures we shall be encouraged and confronted so that we might more conform to the LORD Jesus Christ.
 
As we consider our text today, we read, “For the word of God is living and active.” Some struggle with this concept, wondering how words on a page can be both living and active. It begins by recognizing the source of the Word. It is the “word of God.” The Almighty is both living and active, and His word to man is empowered by Him. We read in Hebrews 4:2, “For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.” Those who hear the word and believe discover that God’s Scripture is very much alive and active. It is of no benefit to those who refuse what the LORD says, except that it will testify to their judgment in the end. In John 12:48 Jesus says, “The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.” But for those who do believe the testimony of the Word of God and through its declaration believe on the LORD Jesus, they discover His great salvation, “since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God” (1 Peter 1:23).
 
We continue with our text and we now learn that God’s word is, “sharper than any two-edged sword... discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Even now, I could testify to a long list of moments when, as I was reading God’s word, I was confronted by its discernment of my heart. Like a two-edged sword, it will penetrate to the depths of the life, cutting through all the pretense and excuses we make for our wickedness. With the illustration of those things that are seemingly inseparable (soul and spirit, joints and marrow), we discover that God’s word will cut to the very heart of our lives. Consider in Acts 2:37 the experience of those who heard the preaching of Peter, “Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’” So, beloved, have you been “cut to the heart?” When you come to the Word of God, do not look for simple platitudes that avail nothing. Come to the Scriptures that you should be confronted, corrected and encouraged.
 
Finally, we hear from our text today, “And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” All the fig leaves in the Garden of Eden could not cover the sinful exposure of Adam and Eve. There is no amount of cover that you could wear before the eyes of Him who will judge the living and the dead (see 1 Peter 4:5). We are all “naked and exposed,” and no excuse will benefit. There is something, however, that will benefit you when confronted and cut by the word of God—confession and repentance. Beloved, God exposes your sin so that you would repent and turn to the LORD for mercy and grace. Hebrews 4:16 tells us exactly what God would have you and I do, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” The LORD Jesus is willing that your sins be charged upon His account and that you can, before the throne of grace, know that your debt before God is paid in full.
 
Come to the word of God, and let it do the work God has intended.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

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