Seattle, May 16, 2005.
65. A TWO EDGED SWORD. Among the many favors given to the church is the ability to use and trust in the Word of the Lord, the scriptures. More than any other source, it is the voice of the Lord speaking to His people. There is no other book like it. Particularly when the Spirit of the Lord is opening the Word and enlightening us. Paul writing to the Romans said, the word is nigh thee. How close is it? It is in our hearts and in our mouths. Rom. 10:8 When it is in our hearts we may speak it boldly and in utmost confidence proclaim its promises. Consider what we are handling when we deal with the Word, it is a quick Word, that is, it is alive. It goes into action performing in our lives that which it promises. Heb. 4:12a That incorruptible seed, the Word of the Lord, produces new life in those who truly hear it. They go through a process of new birth. They are born of the Spirit and the Word. In the altering and changing of our own lives we have a demonstration of the power and ability of that Word. 1 Pet. 1:3 Real life, eternal life, does not begin until one is born of the Spirit. Then, for that new born soul and for the mature saint, the only source of life is to be found in the Word. Mt. 4:4 Every one involved in the declaration of the gospel should be a student of the Word.
THE WORD OF FAITH. It was that which the early church ministry preached. They had the written Pentateuch, the Law. Now the Lord was using them to gives us a written Word, the Word of faith. A vital aspect of faith is that we believe on His name, the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. In His name is revealed all of His nature and character. In the very beginning of our faith walk with Him it is His name which brings the remission of sins. Acts 10:43 The message of the Apostles to the jailer was to, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. His act of faith brought salvation to him and to his household. Acts 16:31 Calling on god for salvation is not sufficient. There are too many gods in this world. There is only one by whose name any man may be saved and that once again is the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no other name for salvation. When we talk or preach about Jesus, lets identify and specify that we are presenting the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 4:13 In the gospel is made known to man the power of the Christ of God. The ability to forgive and completely renew the spirit and life style of any person who will believe. Rom. 1:16 The ability to hear is closely tied to faith, for faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of the Lord. Rom. 10:17 If we are to exercise faith it must be on the authority of the Word. If we do not have the Word then we have no access to the faith which is in the Word. Even hearing of itself can be insufficient. There are people who hear every Sunday what the preacher says, but do not hear what the Word says. A true hearing of the Word will bring action and produce works of righteousness in the hearer. The ears may hear words
spoken but if the Word is to benefit and bring forth that for which it is intended, it must be heard with the heart.