Note: Friends, as some of you may know I am taking classes on the World Race in order to grow in my relationship with God. For our homework we are asked to write extra blogs based off of article readings, scripture passages, experiences on the World Race, and the personal growth we are going through with God. This is one of the blogs that discusses what I’m learning about in class. God is already teaching me a lot already and I hope that you can learn a lot from what God is teaching me too.
Scripture is a powerful and wonderful thing. I didn’t realize it’s power until I started reading the scriptures and the article for my Truett McConnell class I’m taking through the World Race. To be honest, I’m still learning the beauty and strength within the breath of the Lord. One thing I am learning is that all throughout the Bible God’s power and love in scripture is evident.
God’s word talks about the power in scripture. In fact, God’s word has so much power that it can be used as a weapon. In Ephesians 6:17, it says to, “Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Not only is God’s word a weapon, but God’s word is a sword. Think about it, swords are powerful! A sword isn’t a weapon of mass destruction but it is one of precision, accuracy, and a swift victory. Yes, armor is important too, but how can you win a battle without a weapon? You can’t. Fighting with a sword also means that you have to be face to face with your opponent, which in this case is Satan. Using God’s word and following His will means that we will be encountering Satan everyday face to face. Satan is sneaky and twists the truth to throw believers off course. Just like Hubmaier stated, “The result of these words will not be negligence but a struggle as we combat without interruption, not against human beings, but against their godless teachings” (Hubmaier 61). The result of God’s words won’t fail, but it will be a struggle to fight for the truth. It’s not a fight against human beings, but a fight against false words that are planted by Satan. We have to power to conquer him, defend ourselves, and stand firm in the fight. Not by our own means of course, but all because of the gift that God has given us. The gift of truth, protection, and wisdom which is God’s word. The more we spend time in God’s word the more we will be able to point out Satan’s weakness, fight him successfully, and win the war with God on our side.
Also, the power of God’s scripture enhances when we are joined with the body of Christ! We are so much stronger we are when we are joined with the army to defeat the enemy. It says in 1 Corinthians 14:26 that, “When you gather together as the body of Christ one will sing, one teach, another will tell revelations, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret. Although everything needs to strengthen the body of Christ as a whole.” The church is God’s army and the scriptures are His battle plan. In order to beat Satan, everyone must apply themselves by using their spiritual gifts. We all need to be armed with the Holy Spirit so that we can enter the battlefield with God. You see, that’s why the scripture is so powerful. The truth has the power to overcome the worst evils and conquer the most powerful opponent. Truth is the opposite of what Satan wants to hear; it makes him cringe. But most importantly, the truth of God’s word takes power away from Satan. It shines light on who Satan wickedness. Peter even warns us by saying, “Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it” (1 Peter 3:15). We always need to be prepared and ready for battle. If not then, it gives our enemies an opportunity to plant weeds among our heart when we aren’t ready or armed (Matthew 13:25).
On the other hand, God talks about how the scripture was made in love. God loves and treasures us the most out of all His creation. He knows that because we have sinned before we can’t help but sin multiple time. He gave us his instructions out of love to preserve us for Him and His kingdom. It is used to protect and guide us through the war. Psalms 19:7-10 describes it perfectly. It explains that God’s words are good, pure, valuable, and sweet like honey. His words are delighting and exactly what we need. His sweet words are the joy and the ray of hope in our lives. Once we start to meditate on it daily, listen to it, and accept it into our hearts then God’s light and love will be able to shine through us (2 Peter 1:19). One of my favorite chapters that talk about the love and the sweetness of God’s words is in Psalms 119. The author longed for the Lord’s instructions so much that he said they were sweeter than honey, more valuable than gold, his greatest desire, and our necessity in life. He had a heart that constantly sought after the Lord’s wisdom, hope, freedom, good judgement, knowledge, and justice. This happened to be the author’s outcry and I want it to become my outcry as well. I want to be able to value and thirst for God’s words of wisdom and truth on a daily basis. God sent his son, Jesus, to die on the cross, rise again, and pave a way for all sinners to be with Him. He not only provided the way to His heart but also gave us the tools to get there. How great is the Lord’s love that He would sacrifice and give so much to us freely out of love. He doesn’t have to reveal any of this to us but He does so that we will not stumble over our own two feet. He does this because it breaks His heart to see us wander from Him. The hymn, “How Firm a Foundation”, sums it up perfectly by stating, “How firm a foundation, ye Saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in his excellent word…thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.” Through His word He takes people who are sinners or “useless” and utilizes us it for His glory to make them into what they really are: precious gold.
All in all, scripture holds immense power motivated out of unconditional love. God gave us scripture to overcome Satan’s grip on our lives. Satan isn’t dumb. He knows the scripture and he persists in taking away all that God cares about. Therefore, we should always be clothed in scripture, diving into the word, and be ready to explain when someone asks us about the truth. It’s amazing how God can create a weapon that is so accurate and powerful, but so sweet and loving at the same time.
