The Word of God and the Scriptures:

It is important to come to a clear understanding of what the Word of God is and what it is not. There are many Christians today who look to the scriptures as the Word of God. If you have spent any time at all in evangelical churches you most likely have heard this taught.

As a young believer I became convinced of the Truth in Christ and that the Bible was true as well. I still believe this wholheartedly. A misconception comes however,when we hold the Bible up on a pedestal as the Word of God.

Jesus made this very clear in John chapter 5:37,40. In this scripture He says the Word of God is different from the scriptures. He also said that the religious men of His day searched the scriptures diligently thinking that by them they had life... but they refused to come to Him to have Life. He also said that His Father's Word did not dwell in them. He juxtaposed the scriptures with the Word of God. The Word of God is not the Scriptures, on the contrary it is God's Spirit, living and active that became flesh and dwelt among us in the person of Jesus Christ.(John 1:14) The same living Word that wants to germinate in us today, in our human flesh, manifesting Christ in us.

The scriptures on the other hand have been revealed by the Holy Spirit to faithful people. These scriptures of Truth contain: (1) an accurate historical account of the behavior of God's people throughout various periods of time and of many unusual and remarkable acts of God, (2) a prophetic account of some things already past, and of others yet to come, (3) a full and sufficient account of all of the vital principles of the doctrines of Christ which were spoken, or which were written, by the motions of God's Spirit at various times through treasured prophetic declarations, exhortations, and teachings which were given to certain believers.

The scriptures are only a statement from the source, and not the source itself, therefore they are not to be considered the principal foundation of all truth and knowledge. They are not even to be considered as the adequate primary rule of all faith and practice. Yet, because they give a true and faithful testimony of the source itself, they are and may be regarded as a secondary rule that is subordinate to the Spirit, from which they obtain all their excellence and certainty.

We can know the scriptures only by the inward testimony of the Spirit or, as the scriptures themselves say, the Spirit is the guide by which the faithful are led into all Truth (John 16:13). Therefore, according to the scriptures, the Spirit of God is to be our first and principal leader (Rom. 8:14). Because we are receptive to the scriptures, as the result of the work of the Spirit, it is for that very reason that the Holy Spirit is the primary and principal standard of our faith.

It is this Word presented to us by the Holy Spirit that we are to respond and adhere to. It is only as we have this living Word made flesh in us that the Bible makes any real sense to us.

The letter (the Bible) without the Spirit kills, it is the same as the Law. But being led by God's Spirit we can come to true understanding of the deep Truth contained in the scriptures.

DM



email: daniel@markoya.com