Thinking of the Word of God, the Bible, as a sword seems kinda weird in this day and time, but let’s look at what the Book says about itself – and Jesus. Remember John 1? The Word was with God and the Word was God — the Word is Jesus.
First, Hebrews 4:12 says the Word is alive and powerful, meaning it is active, operative, energizing, and effective. Wow! The scriptures we read are not a dead expression of an ancient being. They are as alive and relevant today as they were when they were written and spoken.
I know, I know. Some say that’s not true. Some don’t understand. Paul covers that in 1 Corinthians 2:14.
This next part is, I believe, the reason so many believers do not spend time in the Book. We don’t mind those weekly visits to the church building, but don’t expect daily time in the Word.
The Amplified Version says it this way, “…it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.”
We do NOT like having any part of our lives exposed. We temper our language around certain people so they don’t think less of us. We keep certain habits hidden at home so others don’t know. We pretend in public and let loose in private, thinking if it’s hidden, it doesn’t matter.
Scripture’s double edge cuts through the pretense, through the physical, emotional, and spiritual barriers, to the crux of the matter, exposing to us what God sees and thinks.
OUCH.
God sees our soul, spirit, and mind. He knows us better than we know ourselves and He is determined to grow His followers into maturity to look more like His Son.
The thing is, we avoid regular scripture reading, but you know, He’s God. He can circumvent our attempts to ignore Him and get to our hearts anyway. Ever notice how the preacher can be talking about creation, but you’re suddenly feeling the pinch of that thing you did that wasn’t entirely pleasing to Him? Mmhmm. That’s Him.
If we will open ourselves to the Book and open the Book each day, filling up on it, allowing it to cut through all our stuff, it will hurt for a bit. It will be uncomfortable for a time. Then, almost suddenly, it’s not. It becomes that refreshing ice cold drink on a hot summer day. It will be that delicious meal you’ve hungered for. It will become necessary for life.
Today seems a good day to start. Don’t stop with this one verse, read a few more. Read a chapter. There are so many options to help you get into the Word of God – books you can hold, digital copies you can read online, audio versions that will read to you as you drive, bike, exercise, cook a meal…. the only excuse for not consuming scripture is not a good one – you don’t want this exposure.
I get it. Been there. Didn’t like that at all.
When you are ready for your life to change, for the stuff to be done, gone, outta here, you’ll have to do something different.
Are you ready? Let’s do this!
Coffee, Bible, Journal.
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