The Word of God
I Tim 1:3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
Doctrine that deviates from the truth because its essence, quality, and quantity comes from another source, which is not founded on the words that make up the gospel.
We see this today in many ways.
2 Timothy 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Hold fast to the model of healthy or wholesome words, which thou hast heard from me.
Sound is a medical term denoting health. Only the pure words of the gospel can promote health, to our spirits, soul and body.
The word form talks about a pattern that is created by striking a blow to generate a sketch or outline.
Some of us can remember building a model car or airplane. Once we had the model built we mounted it up high on a shelf for all to see. We must likewise have the Word of God as one of the primary models in our lives mounted high before our eyes. This model of the gospel must be built out of something that is called sound words.
“Sound words” is a medical term that means healthy or wholesome. Sound words are healthy because they are true or are in accordance with what is factual about the Word of God.
It is impossible for us to build a model of healthy words that we can frame before our eyes to unless we know the Word of God in truth or in accordance to fact. To know the Word of God in fact implies that we must do some serious study of the Word before we can truly know it in truth.
Titus 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Incorruptness: Our knowledge of the Word of God must be so thorough that our teaching cannot be subject to the decay of time, error, or the opposition that comes from those who challenge our teaching. When we live in accordance to a model of God’s incorrupt doctrine, our doctrine will finally vindicate us even if the world says that we are wrong.
The Lord will lift us up and put those who oppose us to shame.
Incorruptness must stand the test of eternity in that an incorrupt nature cannot be subject to decay. Our knowledge and obedience to the Word of God will have an everlasting impact on our lives. Let us look at the following scripture;
2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Greek: All scripture; “every scripture.”
We either believe that every scripture in the Bible is breathed by the inspiration of God, or we don’t. If we selectively take parts of the Bible as not from God, we might as well not believe anything in the Bible. How can we be the judge of what is myth and what is reality? I would say, don’t believe the Bible at all if you will be selective in your beliefs about it.
Inspiration: All scripture is God breathed and is therefore profitable for teaching
Reproof: Intimate knowledge of the scriptures brings correction to us by exposing sin and blind spots in our life. If we heed to the exposure brought to us through the Word it will brings us freedom in Christ.
Correction: Correction means to be restored to an upright state resulting in salvation. This comes from the word orthos from where our word orthodontist comes from. Correction means to build up once again in an upright fashion.
Do you notice the order? Reproof brings exposure of sin. If we heed we start to become free. As we become free the Word of God then starts to restore us to an upright state.
Instruction: Mentoring and discipling and the final release into our ministry. Instruction comes from the word which means to train children. We must become as children with gospel.
Exposure, restoration, mentoring, and call to ministry.
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Greek: The man or woman of God becomes thoroughly equipped and furnished by the Word of God for every Spirit led work; The man or woman of God is equipped and fitted with every necessary piece of equipment by the Word of God for anything that the Lord might have for him or her require to do. Without the knowledge of the Word that cannot be so.
When we went to battle Sadam Hussein in the Persian Gulf in great part we won because we were thoroughly equipped with the best of arms, technique, and staff. It is our deep knowledge of God’s Word that furnishes us with the spiritual equipment necessary to successfully carry out God’s holy missions.
1Tim2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto(INTO) the knowledge (EPIGNOSIN or FULL KNOWLEDGE) of the truth.
Philemon 1:6 That the communication (fellowship) of thy faith may become effectual (ENERGES or ENERGIZED) by the acknowledging (FULL KNOWLEDGE) of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Jesus tells us is the truth shall free us in the exact proportion to the correct understanding and performance that we have of it. Our misunderstanding of scriptures through error, cultural or political correct adaptation of them, a lack of meditation or study, will not free us. It is the revelation knowledge by the Spirit of God and our application of it that frees us. It’s not the truth that sets us free but the accurate knowledge of the truth.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Greek: In the beginning was the logos, and the logos was in fellowship and communion with God, and God was the logos.
With God: Not that Jesus was with God as one who was next or along Him, but as one that is with God because He lives in continual fellowship and communion with Him.
The word was God. More correctly, “God was the logos”. Jesus, as God the Son, is first found in an eternal and continual communion with God the Father, so He can then come to mankind as the logos word, which translated and interpreted to us the conceptuality of the Father.
John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
This one was from all eternity is in constant communion and fellowship with God. (John repeats the theme of verse one to emphasize the complete sufficiency of Jesus to assume the role of “God, the logos word” to humanity.
The word of God is comprised of the logos and the rhema word. Both are essential in furnishing us with the fullness of God’s knowledge and will, both as individual believers and corporately in our churches. The logos word defines God in general concepts and ideas to give us the “big picture” of who God is.
The rhema word is a moment-to-moment portion of the logos word uttered by the voice of God’s Spirit and “tailor made” to equip us with God’s commands, guidance, and the fulfillment of our needs in accordance to our specific circumstances.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the LOGOS (word), and the LOGOS(word) was with God, and the LOGOS(word) was God.
Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every RHEMA that proceedeth( from moment to moment) out of the mouth of God.
The Believer as God’s Land
Luke 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Luke 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
In the OT God desired to have a land, in this case Canaan from which His kingdom could operate. Joshua’s commission was to drive out the wickes inhabitants of the land so that the land of Canaan could be cleared and the uncontested rule of God could take place.
1 John 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
The whole world system is lies or is set in the wicked one.
Today, God does not have a land from where His kingdom’s works can be launched. The believer is His land. In proportion to how free the believer is, defines the success of God’s kingdom.
The Great Purpose of the Church
The church is the most important human institution in the universe. It is the institution which God has created to make Him visible. This is the why God implemented it in the first place. He has none else.
The church’s most important job is to bring forth the glory of the Lord into all the earth, and throughout all eternity.
Ephesians 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Glory is defined as the end product of the invisible God becoming visible. The Lord accomplishes this through His Word, His attributes, and righteous deeds.
Isaiah 40:5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
The glory of God is of supreme importance. Through it, men are ushered into eternal salvation, physical healings take place, people are set free from demonic oppression, spiritual gifts are displayed, and revival of cities and nations that ultimately change civilization are started and carried out.
Mark 6:56 ..and as many as touched him were made whole.
Civilization’s most essential need, and its most desperate need, is to be capable of beholding an invisible God, who desires to make Himself plainly evident, through Jesus Christ in His glory.
The key to all humanity’s needs, past, present, and future, lie locked in the Person of Christ. To the proportion that the invisible Christ becomes visible to mankind by His glory, is to the exact proportion that all of mankind’s needs will be met and answered forever.
The church of Jesus Christ is GOD’S ONLY UNIVERSAL HUMAN INSTRUMENT, which can make Him visible. Aside from His glory as seen in creation, God has made for Himself no other avenue that will allow Him to become visible in a real, personal and intimate way to people.
Jose and Mary Alvarez 