Scripture:
Hebrews 4:11-13 NKJV
[11] Let us, therefore, be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. [12] 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.
Observation:
I woke up this morning thinking about the impact the word of GOD has had on my life. The desire I have for others to experience the loving arms of our LORD and the transformation that takes place from something as simple as making a daily routine out of communication with GOD. The letter to the Hebrews is an amazing example of how GOD’S word comes to life inside of of. I will never be able to think it’s just a book. However, at one point, that was my stand. No one is really sure who wrote the letter to the Hebrews. Some say it was Paul, but no one can clearly identify who it was. But this morning, I’m going to challenge you to identify the author as the Holy Spirit and do my best to point that out. So, let’s dive into the scripture. In Hebrews chapter 4 verse 11, the author gives his readers some very clear instructions to be diligent to enter into the rest of the LORD, not falling to the example of those of disobedience. I could take off with some application right there. Holding back sometimes is not easy. This verse gives us a clear example in my mind of the purpose of GOD’S grace. Whereas a lot of teachers would use grace much like the Nicolaitans that are spoken about in the Book of Revaluation. In the warnings to the church, I see it here as the one thing that draws us out of our disobedience into the rest of walking with GOD in the cool of the day. As we move on through this short but impactful portion of scripture we can see how communicating with GOD through reading HIS word isn’t something that leaves us the same as we were when we opened the book to begin with. The writer wants us to know that there is power within the words. Wonder working power. The power that can transform not only the way you think but the way you live as well. The very, “word of GOD is living and powerful, 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.” Now, if that statement does not catch your attention, I think you should back up… pray, and read it again. The Holy Spirit just told you that the word of GOD is not only your weapon but that it has the ability to know and change your thoughts. I don’t know about you, but that gets me all fired up. My fingers want to run right now. GOD’S word has life-changing power, and here is the reason why. Verse 13 is something that can’t be missed. We have had a lot of good things said so far, and I’m not trying to tickle your ears because the one thing I want us all to know is that salvation is a free gift from GOD. Given to us by HIS SON and the work HE did on the cross. But we will all stand before GOD one day, and HE will ask us what did you do with what I gave you? That’s what verse 13 is saying. If you haven’t read the bible, there is a parable that explains that very moment. There are no secrets in GOD’S word it’s all right there for us and I was given to us so that on that day we can stand and say here FATHER is what you gave me and here is what I did with it.
Application:
I want my life to have an impact. I don’t believe that we can read the word of GOD and the power that is within it and not have an effect on our lives. I started reading it about 14 years ago and saw how things changed in a rapid manner for me. However, there came a time when I fell to the example of the disobedience of others who believed that GOD’S grace gave us a license to live how we wanted. I stopped having that daily conversation with my father and stood on what others were saying about what the bible was teaching. But about 7 or 8 years ago. I found my first love again. I decided to read through the Bible not just once but several times. Something happened inside of me that is still rippling out like a rock thrown into a pound. The way I think started to change how I spoke and the way I wanted to conduct my life. I didn’t want to be the same person. My desires were starting to line up with what GOD wanted for me. I had a relationship with Jesus. I had just been running from what that truly meant. The life-changing power that is within GOD’S word did exactly what HE intended for it to do. Now, don’t get me wrong. I have not obtained perfection, but when the perfect one comes back, I know where I am going. Romans, chapter 12, and verses 2-3 play a big part in what I want for my life today. When the master comes back and says to me, “What did you do with what I gave you?” I want to be able to say here, Father, what you gave me, I took a risk with. I spoke it to others, and their lives changed as well. The life you gave me I gave back with interest. Isaiah 55:11 is a powerful verse. We just have to know and speak GOD’S word, and it will not return void. It’s designed to change us. From the inside out.
Prayer:
Father, you never stop amazing me. You knew all those years ago that a bible would fall into the hands of every reader and that it would impact their lives for the kingdom. You know the power of your word when you spoke it at the very beginning of what we call time. You marked the times for us. You have drawn us to you so that we can draw others as well. You gave us your word so that we could see that there is rest inside obedience. Now, we want our lives to have an impact on your kingdom. We do not want to come to you with a dirty old cone that we buried in the ground out of fear. We want to hand you an abundance of coins that show you lives changed according to the power of your word and a relationship with that very word, which is your son Jesus Christ. We want to be used by your father so show us the very next step. So that the fruit that your word produced can have an effect on all we come into contact with. Send us Father our lives are not our own. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.