John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The Word speaks for itself/Himself.
The Word is the Bible.
The Word made flesh is Jesus. He is the Word, both written and which was born, lived and died, then rose again.
The words within the Word are His. If He says so, it is. He never changes.
He, and His Word, will live on forever.
By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. (Hebrews 11:3)
But the word of the LORD endures forever. Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you. (1Peter 1:25)
For indeed the gospel was preached to US AS WELL as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. (Hebrews 4:2)
It is not our works that save. True story, from a testimony given yesterday: A man who realized the destruction he was creating in his marriage because his life was consumed with alcohol (it could be consumed with _______...fill in the blank) knew he needed to change. He walked into the pastor's office one day and asked: What must I do to be saved? The pastor gladly told him to repent, turn from his ways and follow the Lord. They prayed a prayer for salvation, the pastor telling him if this man meant it in his heart, it would be so. The man asked: Now that I've done that, give me a list of things I need to do!
That's just it. There is no list. It's just as simple as what the Word of God states: And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. (Acts 16:30-32)
It's all about the Word. It's about having faith that believing is enough. It's about hearing the Word, reading the Word, knowing the Word, knowing Christ. Knowing Christ is a deep spiritual, heartfelt occurrence, not just a mind thing.
There is power in that Word that cannot and will never be extinguished. This Word has authority. It definitely does convict. It definitely can save. Our salvation experience is truly a miracle brought about only by our God. It is He who calls us and converts us, by the power of His Spirit. We can do nothing on our own...because we are nothing without first having the Lord Jesus.
He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me. (John 14:24)
Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. (1Timothy 4:13,15-16)
The Bible you can hold in your hand is only cardboard, paper and ink, maybe some leather! It can be physically destroyed...burned, marked up, ripped from its binding. But the Word who is Christ is still alive and active. His Holy Spirit lives on and is still able to transform lives. There is no power in a written Bible itself, but what the Bible says has a lot of power. If we know that Word and are the willing vessels to share that Word, there also can be power. We are nothing without God; we have no power, we are dead in our trespasses but with God nothing is impossible!
His Word and words, however, can be offensive because the truth is sometimes hard to hear. BUT...the Word is also so very powerful that it can change anyone. It's that sharp sword of the Spirit: 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)
As a pastor once said: There is nothing in scripture that says we cannot believe. We choose not to. Will you believe?
Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
