The Active, Effective Word of God

"For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
(Hebrews 4:12)

This is a fantastic verse proclaimed frequently from behind the pulpit, but have you ever wanted to get down to the meat of it and chew a little? I think I know your answer, and yes, I want to chew on it, too.

"For the Word of God is living and powerful..."

Let's start with the cross-reference for living which is Psalm 147:15, "He sends out His command to the earth; His Word runs very swiftly." That doesn't sound mundane or stagnant, does it? His word is running swiftly over the earth accomplishing God's command! Now couple that with powerful. The Greek word for powerful is energes (en-er-gace) which is comparable to energetic. Powerful (energes) indicates something being active, at work or effective. Energes is the opposite of idle or ineffective or inactive.

God's Word is active (living), running about looking for those of us who need support. It is working in us, transforming us into the image of His Son, Jesus.

Think about it. In our language, word is typically used as a noun. But God wants us to consider His Word as a verb - active, working, accomplishing purposes. Hmmm...How can that be? I'm going to show you. But first, we have to chew a little more - dig a little deeper.

There are two cross-references I want to point out: Isaiah 49:2 and Ephesians 6:17:

Isaiah 49:2 is subtitled, "The Servant, the Light to the Gentiles." This is a Messianic prophecy and reads, "And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword;" Or, loosely translated, "And God has made Jesus'words like a sharp sword."

Ephesians 6:17 reads, "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God."

Jesus is the fulfillment of Isaiah 49:2.

He is the Word of God - logos (loh-goss): complete idea - manifested in the flesh.

And Jesus is the Word of God - rhema (hray-mah): what is immediately applied to our lives; the Promise of God - which transforms us. His Spirit within us is like a two-edged sword - sharp, powerful, available at our point of need.

So what is the take-away? The Word of God is ACTIVE in our lives, accomplishing His purposes in us and through us. His Word is sharp as a sword when we need protection in times of spiritual warfare.

And His Word is sharp enough to cut to the quick of things - to the discernment of our thoughts and intentions. Ouch!

But that is how we are changed into the image of Christ.
And that is necessary because a very Holy God yearns to dwell in intimate relationship with His children.

Lord, This was a tough one. Enlighten us, Father, that we might understand the complexities of Your Word a little more. We have the foundation down pretty well, but we long for deeper understanding and insight. Thank you for teaching us. And thank You for loving us enough to send Your Word in the flesh so that we could dwell with you forever. You are precious, Lord.