Saturday, November 17, 2012

Fifty Two Weeks / Hebrews 4


Every year on the last Sunday our church hears a sermon on the importance of reading the Word. All are encouraged to read the Bible all the way through in the coming year. The idea to promote this at least yearly (it is certainly referenced several times through out the year) started as a result of a sermon given by a high school friend of mine back in 1975. He outlined the benefits of reading the Word and challenged all present to commit to daily reading of Scripture. I responded to that challenge and the results were profound in my life.

While my friend David drew from various passages to explain the benefits of consuming the Word I believe that the twelfth verse of this chapter really encapsulates the essence of what having the Word in you will do.

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Living and Active

The Word of God is living. This is why I can encourage people to read it again and again. Virtually every time you read the Word something it says new, something for today. Our lives change and we are constantly at different places in our journey. The Word speaks to all of those places. It speaks to where we have been, where we are, and where we are going. When we pick up the Bible the agent of the Holy Spirit is engaged and He causes things to he highlighted and revealed that we were unable or unprepared to see on a previous reading.

Simply put, the Word never grows stale. It isn’t like watching reruns on TV.

The Double Edged Sword

A double edged sword is a metaphor for something that cuts both ways. The Word is certainly that. It can bring great conviction or great comfort. It can bring doom or deliverance. It causes brokenness and makes whole. This is a truly dangerous book.

Therefore, it is important to not approach the Word in a presumptive mode. If you go into the Word looking for “proof texts” for your personal prejudice you will likely find something that you can bend to your bias. Many have done this and used it as justification for everything from war to slavery to greed. However, if you approach the Word with humility and allow it to speak to you the result will be to reveal your personal prejudice and banish your biases, because…

Heart Surgery

This sharp double edged sword penetrates. It brings division between those things that are of the spirit and those that are merely sourish. More to the point it judges the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts. It will reveal things in my heart that are opposed to God and encourage those things that are truly righteous. 

This can be an unnerving experience at times; yet, it is an experience that we should embrace. As the next verse tells us, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” We tend to think that God doesn’t see as long as we aren’t thinking about the fact that He does see. It is much better to allow the Word to judge us now than to wait and be judged when all will be revealed.

This isn’t simply a judgmental exercise by any means. In fact, judgement is certain whether we read the Word or not. It is in the Word that we discover light and grace. It is here that we find out that we have a High Priest who can sympathies with our weakness. It is here that we are told about the Throne of Grace to which we can approach with confidence to find mercy and help. 

The Bible is a double edged sword. Use it carefully. Use it daily.

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