God's Word is LIFE
God's word, the Bible, is so much more than a collection of black letters on a white page, it's more than a random collection of fables or life lessons. While it's true that God's word is applicable and will help your ever day life – it's so much more than that.
God's word doesn't just help you with your life – it is life.
Sometimes this concept can be difficult for people to wrap their head around because so much of culture has boxed the Bible into being nothing more than an outdated list of rules. Or even if we've given it more credit, often people just see it as old stories that may or may not have application to my life today. But one of the early disciples named John wrote about the living word of God.
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. (1 John 1:1)
If you didn't know, Jesus was and is the living embodiment of the Word of God. Another verses says, The word became flesh and dwelt among us. Those who walked on earth during Jesus' time on earth literally walked with the living Word of God. But that wasn't just an experience exclusive to biblical times, through what Jesus did on the cross we are all invited to allow the life-giving and regenerating word to live in us. See how one of Jesus' closest disciples on earth writes about it.
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. (1 Peter 1:23)
God's word isn't just helpful for life, it is life. It's the word of God that literally works in us to revive our souls from the broken state to a place of wholeness, peace, life and restored relationship with God. I love how King David talks about the preserving quality of God's word.
My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. (Psalm 119:50)
God's Word gives life and provides a blueprint for the best life:God's word does truly have a duel reality. It literally gives us life and regenerates us, but then it also shows us the way of life. God's word breaths life into us but also provides the most beautiful blueprint for everyday life.
How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. (Psalm 119:9-10)
I want to invite you to experience the greatest life you can imagine by living according to God's word not your own. God loves you more than you can imagine, and like a good father He wants to help us enjoy the best life possible, which is why he gave us the Bible. Rather than seeing the Bible as a list of rules, I want to encourage you to see it as a pathway to more joy, peace, and fulfillment than you ever imagined. The Word of God is alive and brings us to life!
For the word of God is alive and active. (Hebrews 4:12)
Application:
- The first thing, if you haven't done it already, is to receive and allow this LIFE to fill you and regenerate you by receiving Jesus into your life. When you believe in Him and declare him your leader, the life of God begins to flow through you.
- Begin to read and consult the Bible before you make major decisions.
- Before you accept what the world around you says about (life, relationships, government, money, sex, heaven, hell, and family) – take the time to get God's direction for those areas from the Bible.
