Pastor Mikes Daily Devotion Sunday November 2, 2014 Hebrews 4:12, 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. I remember a highlight of my eleventh grade biology class was the dissection of a frog. Why would anybody want to cut open a frog? They had us do so to see what was on the inside. As interesting as it was, there were two problems. First, what we saw on the inside of that frog was not very pretty. Second problem was, the frog died. We threw their dissected, deceased bodies in the trash. We are told in todays verses that the word of God will do the same thing in our lives. As we read it, it reveals the ugliness inside, and we will die in some ways; but instead of death, we will find new life. Notice how Gods word operates in our lives. First, we are told that it is living. Just as a virus will enter into the body of a host and take up residence, so will the word. Like that virus which is always with you, always at work, so will Gods word be as you take it in. Next, we are told that the word is powerful. Not only is it powerful enough to do away with that old ugliness of sin (salvation), it is also powerful enough to cause us to be more like Christ (sanctification). Then, we are told that it is sharper than any two-edged sword. The word of God is like a scalpel, delicate and sharp enough to divide soul and spirit. This division is for the purpose of working on each person individually. God has divided our soul with the intent of changing our personalities into that which will reflect Christ. He has also divided our spirit, as He has caused us to become spiritually alive to fellowship with Him. Gods word pierces joints and marrow - I believe if this was written today, we would be told that the piercing goes even to our DNA. After all, the bible tells us if any man is in Christ, he is a new creation. Lastly, we are told that the word of God is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. The word used for discerner can also be translated critic. It speaks of the convicting qualities of the word. Why all of this transparency? So that the ugliness inside would be dealt with, and instead of the trash can, we now can be a clean vessel, and come boldly to the throne of grace. Jeremiah 15:16, Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts.
Posted on: Sun, 02 Nov 2014 14:49:15 +0000
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