|
It's helpful to ponder the importance of God's word, so
we truly appreciate the blessings God gives us through His
word.
Jesus' Message To Paul
On his way to persecute Christians, Paul was blinded by
a light from heaven.
At that time, Jesus told Paul the things he'd accomplish
by preaching the gospel, "'to open their eyes so that they
may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of
Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins
and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified
by faith in Me'" (Acts 26:18).
It Opens Your Eyes
Without the word of God, you are spiritually blind. You
can't understand the will of God, and render obedience to
Him.
God says, "'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor
are your ways My ways,' declares the Lord. For as the heavens
are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your
ways and My thoughts than your thoughts'" (Is. 55:8-9).
God communicates His ways and His thoughts through His
word. He says, "'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'" (Is. 55:10-11).
Paul reiterates the fact that we can't know the mind of
God, except the things revealed in His word --- God revealed
them through the Spirit to the apostles, who wrote them
down, which God preserves in His word (1 Cor. 2:6-13).
Turn From Darkness To Light
With the word of God, you can escape darkness (sin) and
enter a righteous relationship with God (light).
God calls us through the gospel (2 Th. 2:14). When you
respond to the gospel call, you turn from darkness to light,
using God's word as a lamp to your feet that lights your
path (Ps. 119:105).
Turn From The Domain of Satan to God
Darkness is the domain of Satan, and light is the domain
of God (1 Jn. 1:5-7).
When you respond to the gospel, God rescues you from the
domain of darkness. Paul says, "For He rescued us from the
domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of
His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness
of sins" (Col. 1:13-14).
When you obey the gospel, God rescues you from darkness
by transferring you into the kingdom of Christ (Col. 1:14).
You are no longer children of the devil, but children of
God (1 Jn. 3:10).
Forgiveness of Sins
With God's word, you can know God's will. Therefore, you
can be forgiven.
Shortly before ascending to heaven, Jesus opened the apostles'
minds to understand the Scriptures. He said, "'Thus it is
written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from
the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness
of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations,
beginning from Jerusalem'" (Lk. 24:46-47).
The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone
who believes (Rom. 1:16). When you believe and obey the
gospel, you are saved by the power of God (1 Pet 1:22; Heb.
5:9).
Inheritance
Near the end of Paul's exhortation to the elders at Ephesus,
he said, "'And now I commend you to God and to the word
of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give
you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified'"
(Acts 20:32).
Because of God's word, through which He communicates His
will, you can have an inheritance with the saints.
Even though you must obey God's word, you are not saved
of yourself, but it is God who saves you. Paul says of our
Christian walk, "giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified
us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light" (Col.
1:12).
Although you obey God's word, your salvation is a gift.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that
not of yourselves, it is the gift of God" (Eph. 2:8).
Sanctified By Faith
Jesus sanctified Himself so you could be sanctified in truth
(Jn. 17:19).
God's word is truth (Jn. 17:17). Therefore, you are sanctified
by God's word, which is able to give you an "inheritance
among all those who are sanctified" (Acts 20:32).
Conclusion
Why do you need the word of God? It opens your eyes, turns
you from darkness to light and from the domain of Satan
to God, so you may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance
among those who have been sanctified.
By rendering obedience to the gospel, you are saved by
the power of God --- "the word of God, which also performs
its work in you who believe" (Rom. 1:16; 1 Th. 2:13).
|
