Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the LORD! [Ezekiel 37.4]
What I say really doesn't matter. What God says... now that's a different situation altogether!
The Bible is absolutely full of what God has said about many subjects and circumstances. However, if we do not know the Bible, we are ill-equipped to encounter and engage those circumstances as God would. All we are left to do in our Word-less condition is rely upon ourselves and whatever we can come up with as a solution of human works or reason.
The Word of the LORD stands above all. Just acknowledging this fact is not enough though. To simply carry a Bible around and say we believe it accomplishes nothing. Our faith is activated only by hearing the Word of God. When we hear God's Word (and continually hear it) our faith becomes the unlimited force Jesus so clearly described:
Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. [Mark 11.22-24]
To "really believe" as Jesus put it, can only be attained by really ingesting the Word of God. Why?
So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. [Romans 10.17]
Jesus is the Word of God
So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. [John 1.14]
Jesus also confirmed that all the Bible is about Him (He wasn't just a Johnny-come-lately in the New Testament):
“You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! [John 5.39]
To study the Bible for any other purpose than to know Jesus is a failure of eternal proportion. Knowing Jesus - really knowing Him intimately - is knowing the Word of God. And that is exactly why Jesus said:
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. [John 14.12]
And John 14.12 goes right hand-in-hand with Mark 11.22-24. There is absolutely no disconnect!
Mmm. There is much to consider here! There is Jesus (God's Word) to consider here! As with the dry bones before Ezekiel, what might God's Word do through us?
Father, help us to get more serious with Your Word - with Jesus - so that we might do the works that testify of Jesus to the world!
1 comment:
Awesome word Brother Greg. I truly love the matter-fact of your message today, but you know me I'm a matter-fact kind of a guy, however if we really look to Jesus and get to know Jesus (the Word) we find that Jesus was completely a matter-fact kind of a guy. Jesus didn't come to play and clearly didn't have time to beat around the bush. He came to share the message of the Father and the will of the Father with each of us, He came for His love for each of us. all completely Matter-fact like. loved it brother, thanks!
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