Hebrews 4:12-13 – “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. 13 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.”  NKJV

I had a pastor from a mainline denomination tell me that he considered the Bible just another good book of history, poetry, metaphors, and fables.  He did not consider it particularly inspired and most assuredly did not embrace the inerrancy of Scripture.  He had no interest in studying the Greek or Hebrew and had no interest in the customs of the day in which the Bible was penned.  He felt that he could quote any of the classics pieces of literature and have as much effect on people as the Bible.  That is a view held by more ministers that I have met through the years than I’d like to acknowledge.  If that is being projected from the pulpit is it any wonder why the moral fiber of our nation and world is in the state it is in?

The Bible is not just another book or even another good book it is the Voice of God to man!  The writer of Hebrews under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit declares that it is ALIVE.  Why could he say that?  He could say that because you cannot dissect the written word of God from God and God is very much alive.  In fact, the Bible identifies Jesus as THE WORD that became flesh.  We know that the prophet Jeremiah declared a message from God that He was watching over His word to perform it.  Isaiah declared that the word that proceeds from God will not return to Him without fulfilling and accomplishing that for which it was sent.

Here the writer of Hebrews declares that it is not only ALIVE but it is POWERFUL and describes it as sharper than any sword created by man with the ability to divide soul (mind, will and emotions) for the spirit (the very life of man, that connects him to God).  It can divide the joints and marrow of the bones and an even more arresting declaration it can DISCERN the thoughts and intents of the heart.  David expounded that truth in Psalm 139 declaring that God knows everything and nothing can be hidden.  He acknowledged that God knows and understands his thoughts even before they are recognized in the mind.  He declares that there is nowhere to hide from God and in that vein from God’s word.

The writer of Hebrews affirms that truth declaring that no creature is hidden from the sight of God and EVERYTHING is exposed before Him and ALL MANKIND will give account to the LIVING GOD and be judged by His LIVING WORD.  Therefore, this is not just another book it is THE LIVING WORD OF GOD.  I must advance a warning that if all you have is the letter you will come up short of the prize of God.  If you will recall in John 5 when Jesus had healed the man at the Pool of Bethesda the Pharisees and Sanhedrin were up in arms.  Jesus in His discourse told them that because they did not have the LIVING WORD abiding in them because they failed to recognize, acknowledge and believe in the Christ.  He told them that although they were diligent in their searching the Scriptures and study of God’s word they were coming up short. They searched to find life but missed the Gateway to God, Jesus.

The LIVING WORD testifies of the CHRIST and it is by having the WORD OF GOD (Christ) in our hearts that we have access to life.  It is through the Grace of God that we are saved.  The LIVING WORD testifies of Him and points the way to Him.  I value studying the Bible but encourage you to never allow it to be just another book and never rely on the letter but seek the LIVING LORD of the LIVING WORD to LIVE in our hearts.

            God bless you as you walk before Him in this present world!