A SLICE OF APOSTOLIC LIFE Devotion 1 of 24 There is a certain frame of mind and spirit that must be obtained when we read the Scriptures. These are words that were "given by inspiration of God" (2 Tim 3:16). Those who were used to write the Scriptures were not professional writers. With the exception of Ezra, none of them came from the "scribes," who were trained copyists. Only "holy men" were employed, and they wrote only as they were "moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Pet 1:21). -- Tomorrow:
In addition to this, the Word of God is appropriately called "the sword of the Spirit" (Eph 6:17). The Holy Spirit uses the Word to penetrate the depths of men (Heb 4:12), convicting of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11), and enabling the saints to live "by every word of God" (Luke 4:4).
These circumstances cause the Scriptures to fall into the category of Christ's own words, of which the Savior said, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63). It is why the Word of God is "like a fire," and "like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces" (Jer 23:29). It is why the Word of God is "quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Heb 4:12). It is why holy men of all ages have been able to say, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psa 119:105). It is why God the Father can set apart those who are in Christ for Himself according to Christ's own prayer: "Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth" (John 17:17).
Throughout God's dealings with men, He has consistently used His Word. A brief reminder of this will serve to assist in the introduction of this text.
1. The Lord revealed Himself to Samuel "by the WORD of the Lord" (1 Sam 3:21).
2. God directed Judah by His WORD (2 Chron 30:12).
3. David kept himself from the path of the destroyer "by the WORD " (Psa 17:4).
4. Faith comes by hearing the WORD of God – particularly the Gospel of Christ (Rom 10:17).
5. Men are approved as ministers of Christ "by the WORD of truth" (2 Cor 6:7).
6. Jesus sanctifies and cleanses His church "by the washing of water through the WORD " (Eph 5:26).
7. We were "born again . . by the WORD of God" (1 Pet 1:23).
8. Jesus said His disciples were "clean" through His WORD (John 15:3).
9. Jesus said the seed of the Kingdom "is the WORD of God" (Lk 8:11).
10. Our relationship to Jesus is measured by our hearing and doing of His WORD (Lk 8:21).
11. When the church grew, it was described as the WORD of God increasing, growing, and multiplying (Acts 6:7; 12:24).
12. The conversion of the Gentiles was described as them receiving the WORD of God (Acts 11:1).
13. It is the WORD of God that works effectively within those who believe (1 Thess 2:13).
14. Both Jesus and the Apostles spoke frequently of the indispensable role of "the SCRIPTURES." Both their message and their reasoning were anchored to the written WORD of God.
15. Jesus traced error back to an ignorance of the SCRIPTURES (Matt 22:29; Mk1 2:24).
16. Jesus expounded His own person by affirming what the SCRIPTURES said of Him (Lk 24:47,32).
17. When Jesus enabled people to understand, it was described in these words, "Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the SCRIPTURES" (Luke 24:45).
18. The SCRIPTURES contain the only exposition of the Son of God (John 5:39).
19. When Paul reasoned with men, it was "out of the SCRIPTURES" (Acts 17:2).
20. Those who examined the validity of a message, placed what they heard along side the SCRIPTURES to see if it was true (Acts 17:11).
21. Endurance and encouragement are produced by the SCRIPTURES (Rom 15:4).
22. The mystery of redemption, hidden from other ages, is being made known through the SCRIPTURES (Rom 16:26).
23. The SCRIPTURES bring "wisdom that leads to salvation" (2 Tim 3:15, NASB).
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for Your Word, the Scriptures.