The Word of Life
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have beheld with our eyes, at which we looked upon and our hands touched, is concerning the word of life <logos tēs zoēs>; and the life was manifested and we have seen and are testifying and proclaiming to you the eonian life which was toward the Father and was made visible to us. 1 John 1:1-2
The foundation of all creation is in the Word, for it was through the Word that all things have come to be (John 1) and thus it is the Word that is the foundation of this section heading and the articles beneath it. Paul wrote to the Corinthians about building upon the foundation which he laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 3:11). So it is fitting if all of our contemplation of things spiritual begins with Christ Jesus, revealed in Revelation as THE WORD OF GOD, in Greek Logos tou Theou.
Apart from Him not one thing has come to be that has come to be. Amen
Please visit the first two writings under this header to enjoy a sumptuous feast of testimony on Christ Jesus, the Lord. Reading these offerings will remind you yet again to taste and see that the Lord is good. (Psalm 34:8)
Many seekers consider the written Word as the living Word of God, to wit 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.
It is evident from this text as well as from numerous texts in the prophets that the Word is the Logos of the Father, the very impress of His nature.
Thus, in appropriate honor and glory to the Son of God, we take up the words of Scripture understanding that they are a testimony to life, not the life itself, even as Paul said the Law cannot give life (Gal. 3:21). To that end Jesus Christ Himself had to bear witness to the Pharisees that although the diligently studied the written texts of their revealed Scriptures, they missed the point.
You search the Scriptures because you think to have in them life aeonial; and those are the ones witnessing concerning me. And you will not to come to me that you may have life. (John 5:39-40)
And yet the Scriptures are supremely important because they bear witness, impart faith, are suitable for all instruction and correction, and reveal the thoughts and plans of God. So we must diligently study them.
The Written Word
Just as our life would be empty and void without Christ Jesus, the Living Word of the Father, so too would our knowledge of God and His ways be empty and void without the written word. Thy Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Psalm 119:105).
It is a sure guide to God’s truth — The sum of Thy word is truth. (Psalm 119:160)
The words of YHWH are pure words; As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times. (Psalm 12:6)
Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words lest He reprove you and you be proved a liar. (Proverbs 30:5-6)
Deuteronomy and Revelation both furnish brief reminders not to add or take away from His words.
But . . . there is a challenge in all arriving at the truth of a matter:
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman, cutting straight the word of truth. (2 Tim. 2:15)
This requires us to be unlike those who distort the Scriptures as Peter noted, because we may not be called to speak upon them:
. . . in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. (2 Pet. 3:16)
In this is conveyed the very simple notion that “teachers” must be taught. Surely in this country where we live, no one would be allowed to teach children in school, if they had not been taught their subject matter and had mastered it, and further had not learned the how of teaching as well. And then, they must be certified and recognized as ones with the authority to teach.
Why do we abandon this standard in our churches? I assure you this has resulted in the destruction of many.
It is because of the following truth that teachers of the Word must be trained in the Spirit and with other teachers of the Word so they can begin to understand the thoughts of God. We simply cannot approach the Scriptures from our own human perspective, our own logic — we need the mind of Christ, the Spirit to know the things of God, as Paul writes about so compellingly in First Corinthians chapter 2. Isaiah likewise reminds us of the gulf between God and man
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither 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. Isaiah 55:8-9
Herein lays the real reason why teachers of the word need to study and show themselves approved, to work in the original languages, to penetrate into God’s use of words which has its own taxonomy, which He reveals to those who search deeply.
In the subsequent pages of this section you will find articles that address Christ Jesus, the Logos tou Theou, the Word of God (cf. Rev. 19:13); but you will also encounter a growing library of writings on the written word with insights you can use to understand some of the deeper Mysteries of what God has been saying to Man, both to His people Israel in the Hebrew Scriptures, and now to the greater Israel of God in the Greek Scriptures.
There is a much lengthier article, “The Written Word,” dealing with the canon, how it came to be complete, when it was closed, and by whom. In this and other offerings we will examine YHWH’s use of symbology, metonomy, metaphor, poetry, fractality, shadow and type, allegory, repetition and variation, and much more.
Throughout all of these peregrinations, it is hoped you will accept these love offerings for bread on the journey, receiving what may be useful and leaving behind that with which you do not see eye to eye. It does take eyes to see, and ears to hear what the Lord is saying in His word, and revelation is progressive for all of us, so there is no living person who is the ultimate authority in all matters. That place is reserved for Christ Jesus.
We, as His servants and witnesses, have been graced with His guidance and tutoring so as to make available to all who wish to sup on them, the fruits of our journey. Some of the fruits you will encounter are very distinct from much of the fare that is commonly provided, but then, the Mysteries of God are delightful solid food for the mature in Christ.
Wishing you His Grace and Peace