THE LIFE-GIVING WORD

" For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, NKJV)

THE WORD IS LIFE-GIVING AND DISCERNING. This is the appointed means through which spiritual life is maintained and the real intentions of the heart are unveiled. The right and ability to impart life belongs to God alone. As it is written, "See now that I, even I, am He, and there is no god with me . . . I make alive . . . " (Deut 32:39). The generation of life is the peculiar prerogative of God. He alone can create it, and through Him life--any life--is sustained! "Life" involves the ability to respond to your environment. That is called "reciprocity." When a fish responds to the environment of water, it is "alive." When a worm responds to the environment of soil, it is "alive." Of particular interest is our response to God--the "living God." When the individual can respond to God, he is spiritually alive. Only God can cause that to happen! That is why Jesus declared, "I am the Way, the Truth, and THE LIFE." No man cometh to the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).

THE WORD OF GOD IS "LIVING AND POWERFUL." (Heb 4:12). It is not subject to human laws, whether they be philosophical or procedural. It cannot be systematized, a snare into which men have traditionally fallen. The more you systematize the Word of God, the less powerful it becomes. This is confirmed by the obvious lack of moral and spiritual power that characterizes those seeking to stabilize human conduct by laws and regulations. Throughout church history, there have been major thrusts of activity that have sought to protect God's Word by classifying and organizing its teachings. Thus Calvin gave us his Institutes, and Campbell his Christian System. Both volumes contain excellent statements, and sound thought. However, they have caused as much difficulty as they have good. Those who have adopted their regimented approach are traditionally divided among themselves, unable to work productively together. The reason for this situation is their stilted approach to the living and vibrant Word of God.

YOU MIGHT AS WELL ATTEMPT to systematize a young child as Scripture. Your efforts will run aground, because living things cannot be limited to humanly conceived boundaries. A system can rise no higher than the one who contrived it. It is limited by the perception of its creator. God's Word does not fall into that category. Those who feed upon it find their thoughts becoming more voluminous and focused. They become less confused and more confident. Within them, the vistas of truth are in a state of expansion. They begin seeing more and understanding more. The horizon of their awareness is becoming larger. New things are seen in the most common texts of Scripture. This is because the Word is "living and powerful."

BECAUSE OF THIS CONDITION, the Holy Spirit often says things in Scripture that conflict with human perceptions of the Word. It will mention people who COULD NOT believe because God blinded their eyes (John 12:39-40), or refer to being saved because of God's foreknowledge (2 Pet 1:2). It will speak of participating in the Divine nature (2 Pet 1:4), and being "one spirit" with the Lord Himself (1 Cor 6:17). The Holy Spirit may even say people are called AFTER they have been predestinated (Rom 8:29), or that we have been "chosen in Him before the foundation of the world" (Eph 1:4). It may trace an immoral situation to Divine cause (Judges 14:3-4; 2 Sam 21:1). Such sayings do not fit into preconceived notions of Scripture. There is no acceptable hermeneutic, or principle of interpretation, that will allow such texts to be received as they are. The Word of God is living, and thus not subject to human restrictions. The same condition results from embracing a sectarian creed, denominational emphasis, or a strictly personal view of Scripture.

DIRECTLY RELATED TO SPIRITUAL LIFE. The Word of God is directly related to life--spiritual life. "For the word of God is living and active." God's Word has Divine qualities because it comes from Him. Note carefully, the Word does not lose those attributes after it has come to us. It is not, for example, living and powerful in the original, but lifeless in the English. Is there any one who would care to affirm Scripture has lost its power?--in any age, or to any people? When Jesus said, "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life" (John 6:63), He powerfully conveyed the consistent impact of His Word--even after it was written. That, of course, is why His words are recorded. They are not merely there for information, or intellectual data. The Holy Spirit is still associated with the Word of God and His Christ! It is His sword, through which he cuts and divides within us.

– Given O. Blakely