Paul wrote these instructions to his elder and church planter Timothy;
2 Timothy 3:14-17 ESV; But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. "
When tempted by Satan ( in the wilderness after a 40 day fast ) to use His divine power to feed Himself, Jesus instead quoted :
Matthew 4:4 (NASB) 4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'"
Jesus is the Living Word come down from heaven.
Here are some things Jesus said about the Word:
John 17:3, 6, 8, 14, 17, 20-21 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ESV
The response of someone who has been regenerated ( born from above ) is they are "set apart" from the world. The person becomes relational with God. There is no eternal life unless a person knows God in the way Jesus describes. Truth is found in the Word of God.
Luke 8:11 (ESV) 11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
Matthew 13:24 (ESV) 24 He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field,
Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
How can anyone obey this command and NOT use the full counsel of the Word of God?
The apostle Paul wrote :
1 Corinthians 3:6 (ESV) 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.
Paul also wrote :
Colossians 4:2-4 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. "
Notice that Paul did not ask for the anointing of the Holy Spirit or something like that so he could perform signs and wonders. God did bless Paul and signs and wonders got the attention of the people. But Paul asked something else here.
Many of the readers of my blog are familiar with the "armor of God" passage from Ephesians 6.
Have you noticed what is the "sword of the Spirit"? Is it some kind of mystical direction gained from "listening prayer"?
Let the Word speak for itself:
Ephesians 6:10-20 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. "
Again Paul speaks of the need for the word of God as the primary means of spreading the gospel.
Notice that the purpose of putting on the armor of God is to make possible the furtherance of the gospel by speaking boldly and accurately the Word of God.
Nothing is mentioned about diseases or lack of finances - the battle seems to be against the demonic powers that try to put a gag order over the proclamation from the Word of God.
The Bible has been corrupted; too many translations: irrelevant for all or any cultures. You can think of others.
Do you believe illiteracy is caused by poverty ? No my friend.
Some last thoughts :
Recorded in the synoptic gospels :
Matthew 24:35 (ESV) 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
Mark 13:31 (ESV) 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
Luke 21:33 (ESV) 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
So what should we do with the "seed" of the Word of God? And "prayer "?
Why not start like I did this year and repent for neglecting the word of God and asking God to prepare my heart for the engrafted Word?
Then purpose to plant the word by praying word saturated prayers and sharing the gospel using the word of God.
Two photos:
One is the shadow of my wheelchair and between the spokes lying on the driveway is a small seed.
The other photo is a shrub called the desert bird of paradise that grew out of a seed like that on the driveway.
I had to plant and water and study carefully where and when to plant the seed to get it to grow.
The seed on the driveway is never going to produce a plant .
Like many who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ , there will be no evidence that they truly loved the word of God.
