One of the greatest gifts God has
ever given mankind is His written Word. His Word has numerous blessings for us.
Please consider the following descriptions given by the Holy Spirit to illustrate the
various benefits of this priceless gift. It is seed (Mk. 4:4 cf. 4:14) through which one is
born again (1 Pet. 1:23). As plant seed has potential for plant life, the Word of God
has the potential of imparting eternal life. This is why God's Word is also known as the
word of life (Phil. 2:16). His Word not only imparts life, but it also sustains life! As a
living plant is sustained by periodic waterings and food derived from the soil, God's
Word is likened unto water (Eph. 5:26) and food (Mt. 4:4). More specifically, it is both
milk and solid food (Heb. 5:12-14). In fact, as newborn babies crave milk, we are to
crave pure spiritual milk, so that we can grow up in our salvation (1 Pet. 2:2). This word
translated crave in the Greek means: earnestly desire greatly; greatly long after;
intensely crave or lust. We are to keep a continuous appetite for God's Word to
insure spiritual growth, which is commanded (1 Pet. 2:2)!
God's Word is also life and health (Prov. 4:22). This word rendered health can
also be translated medicine; cure, deliverance or remedy. God's Word has a positive
effect on our spirits, souls and bodies, just like medicine does in the natural to a sick
body.
Furthermore, God's Word is enduring (1 Pet. 1:23), eternal (Mt. 24:35),
flawless (2 Sam. 22:31; Psa. 18:30) and pure (Psa. 12:6). Regarding its purity, we
read:
In other words, God's Word is perfectly pure and free of the slightest flaw!
It is also living (Heb. 4:12). In fact, as a living force, God's Word is at work in
Christians (1 Thess. 2:13)! How is it working in us? It impedes our sinning (Psa.
119:9-11) and sanctifies us (Jn. 17:17). With all this in mind, is it any wonder why our
adversary, the devil, tries to greatly hinder our personal time in God's Word?
The Bible doesn't just contain the Word of God, it IS the Word of God! Jesus
taught that every minute detail will be fulfilled (Mt. 5:18). It is truth (Jn. 17:17) and
cannot be broken (Jn. 10:35). It is the ultimate source of truth on whatever it refers to,
not just spiritual things. In fact, it is even called "the word of truth" whereby we have
been given birth (Jam. 1:18).
His written Word is "more certain" than His audible Word (2 Pet. 1:19)! (What
incredible assurance of truth the Bible offers.) The early church believed the final
court of appeal and our absolute standard of truth is God's written Word, not
some man-made creed or confession (2 Tim. 3:16,17). Scripture has been given for
correction, doctrine, training in righteousness and reproof. This word, Scripture, in
the Greek is Graphe and means: document or writings. In other words, His written
Word is the objective standard for truth that He has given mankind. This means
that if a dream, vision, prophecy, teaching, testimony, experience, etc. is in contradiction to His written Word, it CANNOT be from the same source as His written
Word, since God could never contradict Himself. We are to test everything (1
Thess. 5:21) and everyone (1 Jn. 4:1) with the Bible.
Furthermore, Jesus declared that His very own words will be the basis of
judgment for all who reject Him and will condemn them (Jn. 12:48). See also Rom. 2:2.
In these terrible times (2 Tim. 3:1) with things taught by demons (1 Tim. 4:1) and
many being deceived by false prophets and false teachers (Mt. 24:11,24; 2 Pet.
2:1.), we MUST stick like the proverbial glue to the message of the Bible to be
safe. This should give us all added incentive to learn the Bible and hold on to its
eternal truths.
Like the blood of Christ, which alone can wash away our sins, the Word of God
enables mankind to enter God's Paradise Kingdom, for through God's Word we can
learn His plan of salvation (2 Tim. 3:15). Peter was right in believing that Jesus had the
words of eternal life (Jn. 6:68). This, obviously, is the ultimate benefit that can be
derived from learning God's Word. There are, however, many other derived benefits.
Knowledge on any given subject mentioned is promised (Psa. 119:105,130). If only we
would learn to first go to our Creator's handbook for successful living, many of life's
woes would never come! For example, one reason Proverbs was written was to impart
wisdom in dealing with people. We are specifically told that meditation in and
obedience to God's Word is the key to success and prosperity, from God's perspective
(Josh. 1:8). Besides imparting knowledge, God's Word will cause us to live meaningful
Christian lives here by bringing forth fruit (Psa. 1:1-4), which He requires from us (Lk.
13:6-9; Jn. 15:1-8).
Job was one of the most righteous in Old Testament times (Ezek. 14:14). This
man's attitude towards God's Word is exemplary. Notice how he valued the Word of
God:
One with a true understanding of God's Word will regard it as precious or
"treasured" as Job said! This righteous man's attitude can be contrasted to the
backslidden in heart, who refused to repent in Jeremiah's day:
God's Word can cut our hearts like a sword (Heb. 4:12), since it is spirit (Jn.
6:63), as was the case in Jeremiah's day. Peter found the same to be true when he
preached the Word of God to the sinful who were "cut to the heart" (Acts 2:37). This
word cut in the Greek means: pierce thoroughly! They were hurt by God's sharp,
double-edged sword of the Spirit, which brought their true, spiritual condition to light,
before they repented and got saved. See 2 Cor. 7:10.
The Word of God in the lips of a faithful Christian has much potential in the
lives of many. (In other words, your life can benefit others eternally.) This, in part, is
why the devil will send trouble or persecution our way when we decide to live by and
speak His truth (Mk. 4:17). Because of this trouble or persecution, some have
"fall[en] away" after they believed for a while (Lk. 8:13). The devil will send
adversity because God's Word ruins his kingdom of deception and bondage. He also
steals the Word of God away from the hearts of those who hear the truth and reject it
(Mt. 13:19)! All of the aforementioned should prove, beyond doubt, that we should
tremble at His Word (Isa. 66:2) because of its powerful effects, which will stretch into
eternity for us all.
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"And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of
clay, purified seven times" (Psa. 12:6).
"I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread" (Job.
23:12b).
"... The word of the LORD is offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it"
(Jer. 6:10c).
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