For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are. Nothing in all creation can hide from him. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes. This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done.
Hebrews 4:12-13 (NLT)
A couple of years ago, I bought a new set of kitchen knives. They were wonderful! With those new knives, I could quickly slice and dice my way through meat, vegetables, and fingers. Yes, I did say fingers. For a while after I started using those knives, I was always sporting a new band-aid on a new cut. But once I learned how to handle those knives properly, I began using them with minimal bloodshed.
A new set of kitchen knives are sharp because they are designed to separate things, like cutting a chunk of meat into smaller pieces or a whole tomato into slices. The Word of God is also sharp. It is designed to separate you from sin. With its truth, the Word exposes your heart and any hidden sin residing within. Once exposed, you are forced to deal with that revealed sin. Either you can choose to repent of the sin or you can choose to ignore the sin. The choice is yours. However, you must understand that eventually you will bear the consequences of your choice.
If you choose to ignore the exposed sin, it doesn’t make the sin go away. Instead, it creates a calloused place within your spiritual heart. As a result, if you consistently fail to repent and remove the sin, eventually your heart will become a hardened, lump of calluses. If you let that happen, you may no longer hear the voice of God because you have forcibly pushed Him away by your choices in ignoring His Spirit. “But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who push the truth away from themselves” (Romans 1:18, NLT).
Instead of pushing God and His truths away, learn to hunger for more of Him. First Peter 2:2 says that you should crave the Word of God just as a newborn baby craves milk. The Word will help you grow into the fullness of your salvation as if provides the nourishment that you need to become strong in Jesus Christ.
John 1:1 says that Jesus is the Word, He was with God and He is God. Further, He existed from the very beginning of time. John 1:14 says that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. That Word, Jesus Christ, came to teach you and me. He shows us the way to God, because He is the visible image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). (You will see these Scriptures referenced many times throughout my weekly blogs. I love these verses: John1:1, 14 and Colossians 1:15).
When you begin your spiritual walk with Jesus Christ, be prepared for a lot of bloodshed but don't grow faint. God knows what He is doing so completely surrender yourself to Him. Don’t fight against the changes that He requires in your life. Willingly allow His Word to slice and dice the sinful flesh out of your heart. He is purifying and preparing you for eternal life with Him.
The price that you have to pay for eternal life is small in comparison to the price that He already paid.
The price that you have to pay for eternal life is small in comparison to the price that He already paid.
“Does not my word burn like fire?" asks the Lord. "Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes rock to pieces?
Jeremiah 23:29
Three Key Concepts:
1. The Word is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of your heart.
2. The Word is a living, breathing, fire that can burn away sin.
3. The Word will nourish your heart as it helps you grow into salvation.
