Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) 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.
Paul states, very vividly, in Hebrews 4:12 the essence of God’s word. It’s not merely words on a page, scribbled out for our entertainment. It’s not something to peruse when the mood strikes us. God’s word is ALIVE, POWERFUL, piercing straight through to our hearts. It’s God’s revelation to us, a glimpse of His heart. To know God, is to know His word, to desire to devour it. It is power for us, from Him.
In a letter to a friend, Abraham Lincoln said, “I am profitably engaged in reading the bible. Take all of this book upon reason that you can, and the balance on faith. You will live and die a better man.”
God’s word is certainly profitable for a man or woman seeking a better way of living. However, it requires more. It is not enough to simply read scripture. It’s not enough to reference it as a “how to book”. It requires a total immersion. It requires a complete surrender to it and ultimately its author, God.
Reading scripture, and understanding what you are reading, its meaning and application to your life can be daunting. In my earliest attempts at reading scripture I struggled, most was lost on me, much still is. However, once I surrendered my heart to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, things gradually began to make more sense. You see, without surrender, rebirth in Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit taking up residence in my heart, there can be no revelation. So much of scripture is lost on us. It requires the guiding and translation provided by God Himself through His Spirit.
Having surrendered my heart to the governance of Jesus Christ, I must read His word to grow in the fullness of life He promises. The more I read, the more I want to. The closer I draw to Him, the more I desire to draw nearer still. Through His gift of grace, my rebirth and salvation are assured. Of that I am certain, because through His WORD He assures me of that.
Not for His love (that He gives freely for we could never accomplish anything remotely close to its deservance), rather because of His love, I desire to know Him, pursue Him, express my love for Him in return. One of the ways I must show this is through the study and internalizing of His word. I desire to live and die a better man, to honor the loving sacrifice He laid down so that I could. Have a blessed weekend.
In full pursuit of the greatest Trophy,
Scott Pace
