Friday | 19 April 2024
The word of Christ, proclaimed by His messengers, is described as a sharp two-edged sword. We note, in this regard, Paul’s description of the word, when he wrote, ‘Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. 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. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.’ Heb 4:11-13.
The key implication of this description of the word is that it has a polarising effect upon those who hear it. Act 3:22-23. The ministry of the word is accompanied by prevenient grace. It makes a breach upon the heart of a hearer, exposing the thoughts and intents of their heart. At this point, they are granted the opportunity to choose the way that leads to life; that is, it calls them to obey the great High Priest and be delivered to the way of blamelessness and sanctification that leads to eternal life. This place of rest is the fellowship of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for which we are made adequate as Christ priests to us a participation in the fellowship of His offering and sufferings. 2Co 3:5-6.
For many years now, we have been preaching the word for illumination. This ministry is only by the Spirit. It requires an accountable and deliberate departure from former, fleshly modes of communication, which include theological exposition, sensual appeal, and the promotion of righteousness through compliance. Marking the distinction between this ministry of condemnation, and a ministry that illuminates by the Spirit, the apostle Paul testified, ‘For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.’ 2Co 2:17.
Further Study:
2 CORINTHIANS 4
References:
Heb 4:11-13
Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. 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. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Act 3:22-23
For Moses truly said to the fathers, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you. And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’
2Co 3:5-6
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the New Covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
2Co 2:17
For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.