January 2009 - Vol. 26

Jesus, the Word of Life continued

When Jesus spoke he not only conveyed spiritual truths. He imparted spiritual life as well – the abundant life that comes from God. 

“The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (John 6:63).
Jesus’ words communicated the reality and power of God’s kingdom. From them flowed the power to dispel the darkness of sin and unbelief, and to mend broken lives. From his words flowed the power to overcome Satan and the fear of death. Jesus’ word brought truth, freedom, and abundant life to those who received it. 
“If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:31-32). 
John in his first epistle testified: What we have seen, heard, and touched we proclaim as the word of life which existed from the beginning (1 John 1:1-4). John bears witness to what has existed from all eternity. This word of life is Jesus the word incarnate, but also Jesus as the word announced by the prophets and Jesus the word now preached throughout the Christian church for all ages to come. 

God’s word is active and alive for us
The Word of God is not an abstract concept or idea that we engage our minds with if we so choose. God’s word is something more powerful and dynamic than that. Scripture tells us that God’s word has power to accomplish what he purposes. It is an agent of change and transformation. God keeps his word and he fulfils what he promises to do through his word. 

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and return not thither but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10-11).
If we allow God’s word to penetrate our hearts and minds, it will consume and purify. It will cut away sin and everything else that would keep us from the love of God or hinder us from doing God’s will. 
“Is not my word like fire, says the LORD, and like a hammer which breaks the rock in pieces?”  (Jeremiah 23:29) 

“The word of God is active and living, sharper than any two-edge sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). 

As disciples of Jesus Christ we are called to conform our lives – the way we think, act, and speak – to his word. 
“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). 

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom” (Colossians 3:16). 

(using the Apostle Paul as an example, we should) “take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). 

God’s word, through the action and power of the Holy Spirit, will shape and transform us into the image of Christ, if we submit to it with faith and obedience. 
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18).
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Also see > Icon of Christ from Mount Sinai

[Don Schwager is a member of The Servants of the Word and the author of the Daily Scripture Reading and Meditation website.]


Jesus Christ the Word of Life
by Michael O'Brien
[click to see elarged version] 






See related page on the original icon of Christ Pancrator
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

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