THE WORD OF GOD. Hebrews 4:12 The reasons for paying close attention to the words in verse eleven are explained in verses twelve and thirteen. God revealed His truth in a visible form through the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is “The Word.” “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” He was full of grace and truth—the fullness of grace and truth. However, the word of God has also been given to us in both verbal (public reading) and written forms. The written word of God is a powerful force that is active in fulfilling God's plan. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
It is described in verse twelve as a “living” power that judges thoughts with an eye that sees everything in the innermost part of our souls. There is no part of our being—souls, spirits, bodies, and actions—that escapes the power of God’s revealed will in the word of God, the scriptures of truth. His word is effective in that it accomplishes God’s purposes, penetrates our human personalities, and judges our deepest thoughts and intentions that haven’t yet been formulated and acted upon.
God’s word emphasizes the urgency of obeying Him and not treating His teachings as mere suggestions. It is not open to private interpretations that serve our self-centered purposes. Our opinions about it do not alter its meaning or authority in any way. We may change our minds about it to fit our circumstances and choices, but that does not alter its message. Changing our minds about it will only add condemnation to such arrogance.
The word of God is far more than a collection of history, poetry, prophecy, and ideas about life and how to live it. It works as a life-changing power that reveals the basis of our moral and spiritual life. It supports and condemns; it assures and corrects; it discerns and gives guidance; it reveals good and evil; it guides decisions and shapes lives.
Psalm 138:2 tells us God has magnified His word above His name. Everything we need to know about God and His will for us is found in His word. All we need to understand about who God is, His attributes, and His will is given to us in the 66 books of the Bible. This living word is not only concerned with us and what we do, but also about God and how He deals with us. It is alive, like the words of a living Person speaking to us—words of truth and holiness that will never fail or pass away. The infinite wisdom of God that we need to know is in this word.
The word of God is active; it truly does something. This life-giving word is transforming the lives of millions who believe it, and through it, countless people have come to understand and receive the Lord Jesus Christ and the gift of eternal life. Its impact and power to change us are sharper than a two-edged sword.
A simple statement of warning from the word of God delivered through Jonah moved the people of Nineveh to “believe God.” The words of a preacher are important, but it is the word of God that divides the “soul and spirit.” The preacher does the “soul” part, and the Holy Spirit of God does the “spirit” part as He convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgment to come.
The word of God not only divides, but also unites. Our joints lack life; they need marrow to supply what is necessary to keep our bodies properly formed and functioning, tied together as one body made up of many unique parts. The word of God unites everything as we consider God, the universe, creation, the earth, the nations, the church, the local assemblies, and every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Our emotions and intellect, our choices and actions, our will and work are all influenced by the word of God. It divides and separates; it unites and connects different parts; it awakens our consciences and brings understanding; it reveals the severity of sin and the blessings of salvation; it wounds and heals; it exposes darkness and brightly illuminates the light of truth and holiness; it produces faith and shows the grace of God.
By giving us His Word, God, who has infinite intelligence, has revealed what we need to know to understand Him and become His children through faith. His written Word allows us to know and believe in Him as we read the active and living words that speak to those who, by faith, act on what they say. Not only does it reveal what is wrong and what we need, but most importantly, it shows us the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ, and even forewarns us about future events.
We should discuss it, meditate on it, and follow its guidance so that our way can be prosperous, just as Joshua's was. We should constantly apply it to every part of our lives just as the writer of Psalm 119 did. We should pay attention to what it teaches and apply its doctrines to our own lives, as Timothy did. Then the benefits of God's word in us will be visible to those around us, and they may be saved just as we are.
Precepts are clear truths that are easily expressed. They are simple to understand with precise wording. They include the “Thou shalt” and “Thou shalt nots" written as short, concise statements. Precepts embody the unchangeable message of the Gospel, unquestionable to every honest soul seeking salvation. Perhaps the briefest passage in the Bible that succinctly summarizes all aspects of our salvation is Romans 3:19-26. Romans 3:19-26.
- No one is declared righteous before God by observing the law [v.19-21].
- There is a righteousness from God that is apart from the law [v.21].
- The righteousness from God is received through faith in Jesus Christ [v.22].
- This righteousness is available to everyone on the same basis, since all have sinned and come short of the glory of God [v.22-23].
- All who put their faith in Jesus Christ are justified freely by God’s grace [v.24].
- This justification is “through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” [v.24].
- God presented Jesus as a sacrifice of atonement through faith in His blood [v.25].
Or you could put it another way:
- All have sinned.
- Be sure your sin will find you out.
- Christ died for our sins.
Principles are truths we apply. There are things not explicitly stated, but that we live by and know to be true because they align with all other teachings of scripture. We learn to apply them to ourselves and understand these principles through experience. Examples include the “principles of conduct” in Romans, from chapter 12 through chapter 15, or the “principles of confrontation” in 2 Corinthians.
Practices are truths lived. This process is referred to as “perfecting” or “being made perfect” in various parts of Scripture. One of these many practices is maturing: the maturing of individuals—
God’s people, maturing by the word of God, maturing through the Church, maturing through suffering, and maturing with the saints.
Progress is the truth maturing. It leads to habits of holiness, rules for righteousness, plans for purity, and learning to love.
Peace is the experience of truth. Its source is God. The way to receive it is through the word of God. I experience it as I follow the simple teachings of scripture. If I try to change it by other methods, the process becomes complicated, and the results are much less satisfying.
There are not only personal lessons to be learned from the word of God, but also personal responses expected as a result of these exhortations in Hebrews. "Labor" means to be diligent. Leanness, on the other hand, comes from laziness [4:11]. Our heavenly inheritance is ours because we have been raised up and seated with Christ in the heavens. Even though we face opposition and challenges, we must resist the temptation to settle down in this world.