The Word Of God
"Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken." (Isa. 1:2). This declaration commands heaven to give audience, and the earth to heed the spoken things of God. Christ Jesus declared to the world the God of heaven. (Jno. 1:18) Again, "For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God." (Jno. 3:34) In the light of his face, and in the brightness of his raiment the apostles learn they are to "hear him." (Mt. 17:5) On a throne exalted and with power unlimited the Holy Spirit announces God...hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son." (Heb. 1:1, 2)
Its Power
It is "sharper than any two-edged sword." (Heb. 4:12) The "sword of the Spirit is the Word of God." (Eph. 6:17) So keen, sharp, and pointed is the word of God that it is the most potent weapon in all the world. To Cain the Word' said, "Sin lieth at the door." (Gen. 4:7) To Belshazzar, "God hath numbered thy kingdom and finished it. Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting." (Dan. 5:26, 27) To the Pharisees, "For if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." (Jno. 8:24) To the young rich man, "Sell that thou hast and give to the poor." (Mt. 19:21) To the rich man, "Thou fool, this night shall thy soul be required of thee." (Lk. 12:20) Some day the Word of God will paralyze unbelievers, stagger the unfaithful, and sentence all the wicked into the corridors of eternal misery, and, at the same time, beckon to the faithful, "Come ye blessed of my Father." (Mt. 25:34)
Its Authority
God's Word is the "first and the last," "the beginning and ending" the a and the z, in all matters pertaining to salvation. It is the voice of origin, "In the beginning," and will be the voice of destiny at the final day of account. Science can discover, but it cannot create; it can imitate, but it cannot duplicate; it can copy, but it cannot originate. Thus, God's Word hurls a challenge to the sages of the day, to those gone by, and those to come hereafter. Until man can create, duplicate and originate we cling tenaciously to God and his Holy Word. The Bible is the oldest legal document in all earth; herein we have the "voice of law." God's laws were given to be kept, not broken. Adam, the patriarchs, and the Jews testify to this fact. "The voice of the heavens" breaks forth in exaltation, "the heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork." (Ps. 19:1) There is nothing unreturned to God; everything begins with God, and everything ends with him. Finally, the Word of God is the voice of the kingdom of Heaven. It is employed in its commands, promises, blessings, and curses. "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God." (1 Pet. 4:11).
Its Office
This office is seen clearly in Jno. 1:1, 8, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light." To reveal the truth in light and life was Jesus' mission. (Jno. 8:32) God declared his Son twice on earth. (Mt. 3:13, 17) and Mt. 17:1, 5) His great resurrection from the tomb further established this fact (Rom. 1:4) and declares him to be the Son of God. The dignity of the Word is seen in Hebrews 1, as being the brightness of his glory, the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, is seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high. His name is greater than that of angels, greater than any name in all God's realm. He is our object of worship. His throne is forever and ever. He laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of his hands. They are to perish, but he is to remain. Seeing his exalted position, why look for anything higher, than Jesus Christ or better than his Law?
The Bible has weathered every fierce storm, escaped the flames of fire, endured the battering rams of centuries, and has outlived every book on earth. Infidels have denied it, many have forsaken it, some betrayed it, others scoffed it, and while it stands they lie at its feet in the dust of earth. It changes tears of sorrow into smiles of joy and lift the burdens of life. It transforms the sinner into a child of God and changes ugliness into beauty. It is responsible for enlightenment, education, sanitation, respect, hope, love and faith. "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (Mt. 4:4).