The Importance Of The Word Of God
One of the things that sets the Bible apart from other books is its authority. It’s not just a bunch of ink and paper. It’s much more than that. It is the Living Word of God.
That carries some serious weight with it. If someone told you that God was going to be speaking tonight at 6:00 you’d probably show up to hear what He had to say, wouldn’t you? I think we can all agree that we would empty our schedules for that.
It is unfathomable to me, then, how we can treat God’s written Word so casually. There are churches in this world that don’t understand the absolute importance of the Bible. I have read about churches that brag about how they often read from a novel instead of the Bible in their church service.
What nonsense is that? How did God’s church arrive at THAT thought? Will we neglect the most powerful tool that God has given us? How long can we keep ignoring His Word while we watch our churches dwindle into insignificance right before our eyes? Just read these verses and try to grasp the vital importance of God’s Word to His people:
1 Thessalonians 2:13
“… the Word of God … performs its work in you who believe.”
James 1:21
“…in humility receive the Word implanted, which is able to save your souls.”
Hebrews 4:12-13
“For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.”
Isaiah 55:11
“So will My Word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”
Does that sound like something the church should be ignoring or neglecting? Not to me! It kind of sounds like the very thing the church needs more of today!
There are churches right now that are fighting this battle. They are somehow uncertain about the place of God’s Word in His church. To them I give this encouragement:
Deuteronomy 30:19-20
“I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days.”