The word of God is alive

by JAMES NORIEGA Contributing Writer
| December 16, 2022 1:00 AM

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. {Psalm 119:105)

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, with 176 verses, and the whole chapter is dedicated to the beauty of God's word.

Verse 105 pretty much sums up what we read throughout Psalm 119. God's word is our ultimate authority and, if we understand God's word, we understand the central theme is the atoning work of Jesus Christ.

From Genesis to Revelation, all to the central work of Christ and him crucified, sin has been dealt with. I think we get lost in trying to use the Bible as an instruction manual or to feel better about our life on Earth. Because of what Jesus did on the cross, and the love of God the Father and the work of the Holy Spirit, I believe the word should be exalted and worshipped through.

We must do more than just read the word; we must embody the word and that is the work of the Holy Spirit. Because of what Jesus did on the cross, the word now is written on our hearts fulfilled in us through Christ. So, it's more than just reading the Bible; it's becoming the promises of the Bible. For example, in Hebrews 4, the writer talks about the word of God as living and active. What does this mean, you ask?

The “word” that is spoken in Hebrews 4:12 is most likely Jesus. That whole passage in Hebrews is about Jesus, so when it talks about the word being sharper than any two-edged sword, it’s easy to see that it’s Jesus; it’s the same Greek word used in John 1:1, which is also referring to Jesus.

In the new covenant, God says He will put His Spirit within us. The job of the Spirit is to manifest and reveal Jesus to us and through us. In Hebrews 4:12-13, it says, “The word pierces to the division of the soul and spirit discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” This means the word becomes alive in our soul as we embody the promises of God; we can live a transformed life.

James Noriega is the executive director of the Bonner Gospel Mission. He can be reached at bonnergospel@outlook.com or online at bonnergospelmission.org.