Hebrews 4:10-13
10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
When we enter into the rest of the Lord, we will cease from our works just as God ceased on the seventh day. Obviously, we are not there yet. As the last post said, we have much work to do. We cannot just sit back and relax, waiting for that day to come. Even Jesus as a twelve-year-old boy knew he must be about His Father’s business. So many times, Paul tells us to continue working, continue ministering, continue the mission God has for us. Our job is not done until we pass from this earth, whether by death of our flesh or by the rapture. We have to work ‘til Jesus comes, as the old song says. Be vigilant in your calling to do all you can to reach the lost, heal the sick, deliver the captive and make disciples of those you come in contact with. This is the labor we have for God. These things need to be done, or we may fall because of unbelief. Don’t let that happen to you!
In doing these things, it is so important that we point people to the word of God. It is His word that will bring in the lost. Not Billy Graham’s words, not John Hagee, not David Jeremiah or any of the great orators of the gospel. It is God’s word that does the work in a man’s heart. The reason it does it explained in verse 12. Paul gives 6 ways the word of God works on our lives. These ways are not just evident when someone gets saved. These are things the word does even to the most mature Christian if we allow it to. We have to be soft and pliable, and not have that hardened heart that we discussed a few posts ago. God is not a task master. He will not force His will on us, but rather, by gently prodding, He will lead us along His path. Whether we follow or not is our choice. Let’s take a closer look at these six ways the Word will work on us.
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First, it is quick. What a fascinating word this is the KJV. In almost every other translation, the Greek word used here is translated alive. From the same root word comes the KJV word quicken, which also means to make alive. Quicken is one of my favorite words in the KJV. I have always taken it to mean that He makes our spirit come to life. This is what the word of God will do. It gives life! In so many ways it in our eyes to the truth of what life is supposed to be like. This world we live in is full of turmoil, strife, sorrow, sadness and bad news. But His word brings peace, joy, love, hope, healing and Good News to us every time we open the pages and start to read. This is Life! Our lives are not supposed to be only lived in the valley, but on the mountaintop as well, and the Bible brings us there. This word is alive! We can read the same passage one day after the next, and each day God can speak new life into our spirit each time. It never ceases to amaze me how much God loves us, that he would leave such a precious letter to us, as written by faithful servants through the centuries. What a wonderful; God we serve, and what a wonderful resource for life we have in His word!
Second, it is powerful. As we speak the word of God, and pray the promises that He has given us, amazing things happen. These words can heal the sick, deliver the captive, make the demons flee, drive the craziness out of us. It is powerful enough to defeat the enemy just by speaking the word. It is powerful enough to move mountains and part seas. The power that comes from praying the word of God cannot be matched by anything else. He stands behind His word and executes the promises contained in it. He will never fail to keep His word to us, and the power that is within it. We can trust, that no matter what may come, His word has a solution, if we will just seek it out and then pray it over the problem. Amazing power comes from such a prayer.
Third, it is sharper than any two-edged sword. Back in Jesus time, the sword was the primary weapon. The person wielding it must keep it sharp or it will be useless. A two-edged sword is sharp on both sides. It can cut coming and going. A sword like this, when sharpened, is a dangerous weapon that one should take seriously. The word of God is a similar weapon, only it does not cut flesh and blood. It cuts into the soul and spirit of a man, making Him see himself in light of God. When we see that, we tremble. But this sword can also be used as a weapon when we wield it. Paul explains this when he talks about the armor in Ephesians 6. He says the word is the sword of the spirit. It is the only weapon we have against the enemy. We must know i.t well to use it like this, though. You don’t want to go into the enemy with a sword that is dull! Have your sword sharpened by knowing the scriptures. These are the words that will bring victory in any circumstance.
Fourth, dividing the soul and spirit. To me, this is the most profound part of the power of the word. It divides the soul, which represents our fleshly life, and the spirit, which represents our life with God. The word of God helps us see the struggle our flesh has in letting go of control over our mind. The word lifts up our spirit, while trying to suppress our flesh. It is the word of God that helps us see ahead to the narrow path we must take to get into the Kingdom of God. It is the word of God that will turn us from following our flesh to walking in the Spirit. If we neglect the word, we can be sure that our life will start to slowly sink into fleshly desire and want to get further away from God. We must be diligent to keep the word fresh in our minds, hearts and souls. We must allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us while we are reading the word so we know how it should be considered, It will bring a meeting of the minds within us, and determine whether the soul or the spirit will win. I pray that in my life the spirit will always win.
Fifth, dividing the joints and marrow. Our life is in the marrow. The marrow is where the blood cells are formed so that they can carry nutrition to the rest of the body. When the marrow is bad, the whole body suffers. I know this because of my cancer journey. Bone marrow biopsies are a standard when checking for leukemia or lymphoma type caners. These are cancers of the blood, and the marrow is the manufacturing center for our blood. The joints make our body be able to perform the way it does. If the joints give way, the body will not function properly. Arthritis typically forms in the joints, causing pain with movement. My feeling is that the intent of dividing the joints and marrow is to bring our flesh under subjection. We must do this in order to follow Christ. He has given me free will, and I need to sue that will to ward off the advice of y enemy and listen to the word of God. He will tell me right from wrong, and it may take a lot to get me to turn away from our flesh and its desire. But God’s word can do it!
Sixth, the word of God discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart. This is where we get into trouble. Our thought life can steer us wrong every time. God’s word can go straight to the heart and help us see what we are really thinking. It not only knows, but discerns the intent that we have. This is why we have to be so careful with out thoughts. It is of the utmost importance that we transform our minds and renew them in the word. It is important that we think on things that are good, honest, true, just, lovely, or good report, virtuous and praiseworthy. Don’t every think God does not know what you are thinking and what your intent is. He does, and His word will bring you to that point where you are face to face with that intent. I think this is why many people turn away from God. The enemy takes God’s word and twists it so we feel condemnation instead of the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Jesus did not come to convict us He came to save us. Never allow the word of God to condemn you! The word of God is our lifeblood. We must spend time in it because it is the meat that sustains our spiritual life. It will lead us down the right oath every time. Get to know His word and you will see His plan!