Words

John 1 

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. . . ."

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

God's chose to reveal himself to mankind in a person (Jesus, the Messiah, the Logos, the very Word of God.)

In Hebrews 1 1-3 we read. 

"Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds.  He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word"

It’s amazing to think about Jesus participating in the creation of this world, but think about this!   He sustains all things – keeps them running.  He keeps the sun in the sky.  He holds this world in place.  He brings rain to support our green earth.  He continues to be active in our universe, by his powerful word. 

Jesus, The Word, is the one who helps us to know what God is like, what God’s heart is like.  

John 1:18 says. 

“Jesus is God’s only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.”

We see the Word in creation. In Genesis 1 we read

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.   And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”

The creation narrative goes on.  It tells us that “God said” and He divided the waters.  And then, “God said” and there were trees and flowers and such.  And then, “God spoke” the sun, moon and stars into being.  Then after speaking everything else into existence, “God spoke” and He made man.

Words!

I thought about how I use words.  There are many instances in the Bible that God mentions our words.  He instructs us to use our words (our tongues) wisely and carefully. Do you remember reading in Ecclesiastes about a “Time for Everything?”  It starts out telling us that there is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven.  The one I’m interested in today is

“a Time to be silent and a Time to speak,”

Sometimes I need to speak out, particularly when I see injustice.  But that doesn’t mean I need to say everything that’s on my mind. 

The Bible tells us that it’s smart to limit our words. In Proverbs 17 it says.

 “The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint.”

and then a few verses later it tells us.  

“Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.”

Here’s a quote from Abraham Lincoln that says much the same thing.

“Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.

Words!

What about God’s word, the Bible? 

Over the ages the Bible has sold more copies than any other book ever written.  I looked this up on the internet and all of the resources agreed that it’s sold over 6 billion copies.

Do you know how many people read those billions of Bibles that are out there?  I found that only 59% of Americans said they read their Bibles occasionally.  Guess that’s better than I thought.  Only 37% read it at least weekly, and only 11% read it every day. 

Think about that – the Bible is a letter from God to us.  It tells us about Him, about His love for us, about the future and the past.  It gives us instruction.  It gives us hope and comfort – and it’s not read.  That’s really sad isn’t it?

Psalm 12:6 tell us

“And the words of the Lord are flawless, 
    like silver purified in a crucible, 
    like gold refined seven times.”

Isn’t that beautiful.  The words of the Lord – flawless, silver, pure pure gold?

Hebrews 4:12 says

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

It’s alive, sharp, penetrating, judging our thoughts and attitudes.  That sounds pretty important.  If we don’t pay attention to God’s words, our words will not glorify Him.

I really want to make sure mine glorify my Father, how about you?